Confederation of Trade Unions requires penal sanctions for violating Trade Union Law

The Confederation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Moldova (CSRM) submitted a notice to the bill on amending and completing the Penal Code and the Code of Administrative Contraventions, requiring that persons guilty of interference in trade unions’ activity to be sentenced according to the provisions of the Trade Union Law. According to CSRM press release, over the last years the violations of the legislation on unions have became more frequent, and the mentioned codes did not stipulate sanctions for these offences. Trade union leaders believe that breaking the legislation on unions and trade unions’ statutes by officials should lead to application of fines of 75-250 conventional units (1 conventional unit equals to 20 lei). The CSRM juridical experts consider that in the Penal Code could be included as well sanctions for „repeated violation” of the trade union rights, resulting with sanctions of 200-400 conventional units or dismissal, and obstructing the right on freedom of association and organization might be sanctioned with 1-3 years imprisonment. CSRM announced that it would present proofs on violation of trade union rights in RM by central and local authorities at the International Labor Conference, held on 31 May - 16 June 2006, in Geneva.