Unions demand ampler measures to diminish the impact of power price hikes on people

The National Confederation of Unions of Moldova (CNSM) urges the Government to take ampler measures, coordinated with its social partners, in order to diminish the consequences of the recent power price hikes and ensure the social security in the country. According to CNSM president Leonid Manea, the gap between people’s income and living expenses has widened and the living standards have become more degrading. The Unions warn that the increases in tariffs for electric power by some 13 to 44 percent will have a severe impact on the final consumer and will inevitably lead to price increases in industrial production, food and services. With the wage raises always delayed, the share of payments for electricity in the monthly income of an average employee of the agricultural sector will make up 10-11 percent, of culture – more than 8 percent, education – over 7 percent, health care system – some 6%. CNSM considers as irresponsible the methodologically ungrounded pricing policies and will take action with the view to establishing a functional system of granting nominal compensations and of indexing people’s earnings to a consumer-price index.