If the Government ignores the businessmen, it will not have with whom to discuss the problems faced in the economy in several years. Alexandru Slusari, deputy head of the National Employers Confederation of Moldova (CNPM), has told IPN that now the social dialogue between the Government, employers and trade unions is only mimed.

“The social dialogue between the employers and the Government is formal, superficial. In some areas, the dialogue is slightly better, for example in agriculture and transport, but in general they pretend to be holding a dialogue. Employers’ proposals are rejected. Furthermore, amendments that the businessmen do not support are annually introduced,” said Alexandru Slusari.

He considers that this dialogue is influenced by the international institutions that demand taking steps for Moldova to benefit from grants and loans. The most negative effect of the lack of social dialogue is the development of the underground economy, with fewer people remaining in the legal business sector.
 
The employers want the dialogue to be real, not formal. “It’s not yet too late, but the Government must find political will and sit at the negotiating table so to examine businessmen’ proposals. When the businessmen see the authorities’ openness, they will contribute to combating the underground economy,” said Alexandru Slusari.

According to the study “Major constraints on the business environment of Moldova” commissioned by the CNPM, about 70% of the Moldovan businessmen consider that the Government does not sufficiently cooperate with its dialogue partners. The report authors say this is probably because in four of the five companies that stated their positions, the social dialogue that is performed through tripartite commissions is perceived as inefficient at national, sector and territorial levels.