The Government is preparing a new Regulation on Preventing and Combating Workplace Violence and/or Harassment in Public Institutions. The document is developed with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
The draft will be a mechanism for implementing the amendments to the Labor Code, which were adopted to bring Moldovan legislation in line with the standards of the ILO Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment at Work and came into force on January 1.
The new regulation introduces for the first time a uniform procedure for public institutions, which until now had no clear rules for responding to such cases. Among other things, it provides for obligations for all public institutions:
- Develop internal anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies;
- implement standardized procedures for filing and reviewing complaints;
- establish special commissions to investigate complaints;
- Provide temporary protection measures for victims;
- maintain specialized registers and documentation;
- monitor the number of cases and the measures taken on an annual basis.
The authorities note that the lack of uniform rules has so far led to uneven application of the law, silence of cases and insufficient protection of employees. The new mechanism should ensure “zero tolerance” for such manifestations and create a safe working environment in the public sector.
After public consultation, the draft is expected to be approved at a government meeting.
