This was complained by Igor Zubcu, president of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (NCTUM), at a meeting of the National Commission for Consultation and Collective Bargaining.
Trade unions see this as social segregation.
“Migrant workers, who are unskilled laborers, are entitled to 50% of the average wage in the economy, while local workers do not enjoy this right, while 6,300 lei (minimum wage in 2026 –Logos Press note ) is about 37-38% of the average wage. Therefore, we, the trade unions, see here an imbalance and social segregation, injustice, social inequality,” Zubcu said.
He considers it advisable to discuss this problem with social partners.
The relevant provision was introduced in the Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners in July 2025, mainly at the initiative of business community associations, in order to facilitate the employment of foreigners in sectors with a shortage of local labor.
In addition, foreign nationals are not obliged to pay social contributions, only at will, which, according to the trade unions, is also wrong.
“In the Republic of Moldova, everyone who works must pay contributions to the social insurance and health insurance system in our country. There is a gap here, and they could replenish both the social insurance and health insurance budget,” said Sergiu Sainciuc, deputy of the NCTUM.
Earlier, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Eugeniu Osmochescu said that Moldova needs additional labor resources for sustainable growth and plans to further liberalize the labor market by attracting labor from non-EU countries in 2026.
It should be noted that the projected average wage for the economy is 17,400 lei this year. Over the last five years, it has grown by 196.4 per cent. The minimum wage has increased by 187% over the same period to the current 6,300 lei. The average inflation during this period amounted to 178%.
