Moldova witnesses up to 600 accidents at work yearly

Up to 600 accidents at work happen in Moldova every year. The consequences in 20% of them are serious, show the data of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova that were presented in a public debate on health and security at work on July 26, Info-Prim Neo reports. General state labor inspector Dumitru Stavila said there are no well-thought-out strategies and policies in the field. The Law on Security and Health at Work, which came into force two years ago, cannot be fully implemented as there is no appropriate normative framework for applying it. As to the conventions of the International Labor Organization, Moldova ratified only 40 of the 168 conventions and 109 recommendations, said Dumitru Stavila. Leonid Cerescu, head of the National Confederation of Employers of Moldova, said the lack of state economic stimuli makes the employers indifferent. The state should become involved and create safe workplaces. 55% of the accidents at work occur through the employers’ fault, while 45% - through the employees’ fault, said Leonid Cerescu. According to the International Labor Organization coordinator in Moldova Ala Lipciu, most of the accidents happen in the construction sector. More than ten workers died at building sites last year alone. Ala Lipciu said the responsibility for ensuring security at work should be borne both by employers and employees. More than 50 persons died in accidents at the workplace last year. There is no data about the number of employers penalized.