The women in Moldova earn by 12.9% less money that the men even if they have higher qualifications. 27% of the working women have higher education, while 20% have vocational education. The figures for men are 22.1% and, respectively, 12.1%. The data are contained in the Analysis of the Compatibility of the National Legislation on Employment Discrimination with the Standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union. The report was presented by the Legal Resources Center of Moldova, IPN reports.

The Romani women are subject to double discrimination. Only 15% of the Romani woman older than 15 work, as opposed to 34% of the non-Romani woman. The average monthly income of a Roma family is about 1,000 lei or by 40% lower than the income of a non-Roma family (1,597 lei).

Legal consultant Sorina Macrinici said that Moldova has a comprehensive legal framework, but it needs to be adjusted so as to ensure greater clarity and efficiency. The consultants of the Legal Resources Center suggest punishing the harassment at the workplace in general, not only the sexual harassment.

They also propose reducing some of the super-protective guarantees that lead to discrimination. “The Labor Code provides enough guarantees for socially deprived people, but some of these guarantees can lead to discrimination. Allowing the women to have paid leave for raising the child by keeping their posts is a reason for which the women of reproductive age are subject to employment discrimination,” stated Sorina Macrinici.

Another recommendation is to adopt in the final reading the bill to provide paternity leave for 14 days during the first 56 days of the birth of the child, which is paid by the employer.

As regards the international documents that lay down the European standards, the Legal Resources Center recommends the competent bodies to ratify the additional protocol No. 12 of the ECHR and the optional protocol on the collective complaints system of the revised European Social Charter.