The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and the National Social Insurance House (CNAS) launched an information campaign focusing on social security that will last until December 20. It is aimed at informing the Moldovan citizens working officially abroad about their social rights, IPN reports.

Minister Valentina Buliga said the Moldovans working in the countries with which Moldova signed bilateral agreements in the area of social security (eight European states) have the same social insurance obligations and rights as the people of these countries and will be able to receive pension when they retire.

“Unfortunately, some of the people do not know that they have such rights. Therefore, we initiated this information campaign,” said Valentina Buliga.

The head of the National Social Insurance House Maria Borta said that those who want to benefit from such services should file an application to the CNAS and fulfill a form concerning their social rights. “We work with seven countries of the eight already. There are 117 persons who enjoy such services,” he stated.

Oxana Lipcanu, project coordinator at the International Labor Organization, said the ILO aims to work out migration schemes based on the social rights. “The area of social security is an important one for employment and social protection,” she added.

The Moldovan emigrants from Bulgaria, Portugal, Luxemburg, Austria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Belgium can apply for social security services. The informational brochures within the campaign will be distributed through the agency of the airports, local public authorities, embassies and other institutions. Currently, Moldova is negotiating bilateral agreements in the area of social security with another four European states.