Wide discrepancy between supply and demand on labor market intensified migration, study

The financial crisis in Moldova had a dramatic impact on employment, especially in rural areas. In 2008, 71.6% of the persons working abroad were from villages. 65% of them were women. The data are contained in the analytical report “Study of the Labor Force in Rural Areas, Including through Angle of Gender” that was presented on August 6, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the research, 32.2% of the unemployed persons in rural areas are aged between 15 and 24, while 24.2% – between 24 and 34. The number of working men in rural areas is larger than of working women and has increased since 2007. The active women prevail in the 35-54 age bracket, while the men in the 15-34 and 55-64 age categories. The jobless rate among young women in 2009 was lower than among young men. The study was carried out by the Urban Development Institute. It includes a series of recommendations for the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family for increasing the employment rate in rural areas and reducing the salary discrepancies by gender. Attending the launch of the study, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Sergiu Sainciuc said he agrees with the conclusion that the wide discrepancy between the supply and demand on the labor market intensifies migration, especially from rural to urban areas. According to him, the investments should be reoriented to the rural areas so as to create new workplaces. The authors of the study recommend developing infrastructure, attracting non-reimbursable financial resources, diversifying the occupational structure in villages, ensuring gender equality on the labor market and developing the spirit of competition. The study was made with the support of UNDP and UNIFEM.