Trade unions suggest that the minimum guaranteed salary in the real sector should be increased to 4,000 lei as of January 1, 2022. The employers do not agree with such a date, while the authorities said they will consider the possibility of raising this salary as from February. The subject was discussed in the meeting of the national commission for collective consultations and negotiations, IPN reports.
Representatives of the National Confederation of Trade Unions said there are several levels of minimum salaries in Moldova: 1,000 lei; 2,935 lei (minimum guaranteed pay in real sector), and 3,840 lei (minim salary at public health facilities). There is also the guaranteed salary in the budgetary sector of 2,200 lei, but this will rise to 3,100 lei as from January 1. According to trade unionists, the minimum salary cannot be maintained at 1,000 lei when the minimum old age pension is of 2,000 lei.
The Confederation suggests setting the minimum salary depending on the average monthly salary in the national economy. This method is stipulated in the European Social Charter that was ratified by Moldova in 2001.
“I don’t know if the minimum expenditure basket in Moldova is relevant, but we should take into account the average salary. All those objective calculations show the minimum guaranteed salary should be now of 4,000 lei,” agreed Minister of Labor and Social Protection Marcel Spatari.
He noted the rise cannot be applied as from January 1, but cannot also be put off until May 1, as the National Employers Confutation suggests. The authorities will consider raising the minimum guaranteed salary from February, at least at an intermediary level of 3,500 lei.
