The national action plan for implementing the national employment strategy for 2017-2021 was approved by the Government on July 4. The authorities pledge to create non-discriminatory employment opportunities, to develop the human capital, to ensure high-quality management of the labor market and to realize the potential of migration for ensuring sustainable development, IPN reports.

Among the objectives are to develop the SME sector and to extend the network of industrial parks and of free economic zones so that these offer more jobs, especially in rural areas. As regards the strengthening of ties between the labor market and the professional formation system, active partnerships between the schools and enterprises will be promoted, career guidance services will be developed and volunteering activities will be supported. As to labor force migration, the institutional and legislative framework needed to manage this phenomenon will be consolidated and the legal employment opportunities for foreigners will be diversified, says the informative note to the bill.

A sum of 1.2 million lei is needed to implement the plan of action. The costs will be covered with national public budget funds and external financial resources.

In the course of 2016, 17,600 of the 50,000 unemployed persons registered with the National Employment Agency were placed. The number of vacancies registered at employment agency came to 44,600.