Trade unionists demand increasing minimum salary in economy

The National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova, in the meeting with the Prime Minister designate Vlad Filat, proposed stepping up the consultations within the national commission for collective negotiations. The given commission should be convoked immediately after the formation of the new Government and its meetings should be obligatorily attended by the future ministers, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Confederation. The Confederation’s vice chairman Mihail Hancu asked urgently presenting the draft state budget, draft social insurance budget and mandatory health insurance funds for 2011 so that they are debated within the Tripartite Commission before they are discussed by the Government. The Confederation demands increasing the minimum salary in economy and the tariff salary for the first pay category from 600 to 900 lei as the consumer prices rise are a higher pace than the salaries. The Confederation also drew attention to informal economy. “The employers are not very responsible and hire personnel without work contracts. The punishments for such an offense are mild and cannot prevent illegal hiring,” said Mihail Hancu, adding the penalties for violating the labor legislation should be toughened up. Among other issues discussed in the meeting were the salary arrears, formulation of standard work norms by the specialized central public authorities in concert with the employers and trade unions, inclusion of money for sanatorium treatment and rehabilitation for medically insured persons in the state social insurance budget. The January 4 meeting of Vlad Filat and trade unionists was the first of a round of consultations on the executive’s government program. On January 5, the Premier designate met with representatives of employers and is to meet with delegates of civil society organizations.