This was discussed at a meeting on November 28 with the business community on the theme “Rethinking the labor market: integration of foreign workers in Moldova”.
It was noted that Moldovan companies face staff shortages in various fields and difficulties in hiring foreigners and integrating them into the Moldovan labor market. To improve the situation, the authorities intend to join efforts and create “modern, transparent and accessible procedures for a safe, efficient and competitive working environment.”
At the same time, less than a month ago, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru said that the scenario of opening the labor market to workers from other countries is not being discussed at the moment.
“The main concern is for Moldovan citizens to work and get a decent salary. At the moment, our concern is only about this,” the minister told reporters.
We shall remind you that in July this year, the Parliament adopted the Law on free movement and residence on the territory of Moldova of EU citizens and their family members. The purpose of the draft law is “to create a national legal framework that complies with the EU requirements, which will ensure regulation and facilitation of the exercise of the right of EU citizens and their family members to free movement and residence on the territory of Moldova, including free access to the labor market”. The law comes into force in March 2026.
The European Commission’s November progress report on Moldova notes the requirement to bring national legislation in line with EU legislation in terms of access of EU citizens to the labor market. Moldova should also join the European Network of Employment Services (EURES), an organization created to facilitate the free movement of workers within the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU states + Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein).
