Members of the tripartite commission will give priority to reviewing legislative changes aimed directly at strengthening the regulatory framework for social guarantees for workers. Another pressing item on the agenda is a new bill to reform the pension system for military personnel and civil servants with special status.
It should be recalled that the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (CNSM) previously submitted a detailed opinion on the draft law on simplifying tax and customs legislation to the Ministry of Finance and the State Chancellery. In the document, the unions expressed their disagreement with a number of measures that could negatively impact the standard of living, social protection for workers, and the competitiveness of the national economy. In particular, the unions oppose the elimination of the reduced 8 percent VAT rate on food, medicines, and utility services, as well as against a 20% increase in the excise tax on diesel fuel, which would lead to higher prices for goods and real estate. The CNSM demands that property tax exemptions for retirees be maintained and rejects cuts to temporary disability benefits (including for cancer patients) resulting from the extension of the calculation period from 12 to 36 months.
According to union leaders, the government plans to cover the 2027 budget deficit of 6 billion lei “solely at the expense of taxpayers.”
Reaction from the Ministry of Finance
Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance announced that it was prepared to abandon the introduction of a standard 20 percent VAT rate on medicines and medical supplies as part of the proposed tax reform for 2027. Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita made the announcement following a wave of criticism and a strongly negative assessment from the Ministry of Health.
At the same time, the Ministry of Finance confirmed to Logos Press that it is abandoning certain provisions of the tax reform following public consultations and numerous responses from the public. According to the ministry, the change to the payroll tax system will not be implemented in 2027; however, it is currently unknown exactly when it might be introduced.
Pensions for Military Personnel
In addition, as Logos Press has previously reported, the authorities intend to gradually raise the retirement age for military personnel and civil servants with special status. Currently, employees of agencies such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Information and Security Service, the National Anti-Corruption Center, the National Penitentiary Administration, and the State Security Service, often retire between the ages of 40 and 44. The new initiative calls for raising this minimum threshold. That is, starting January 1, 2027, the retirement age for these categories will be set at 45, and will then increase by six months each year until it reaches 50 by July 1, 2036.
