Moldova considers ban on winter heating shutoffs over unpaid bills

The authorities are examining the possibility of banning the disconnection of households from the heating supply

The authorities are examining the possibility of introducing additional measures to ensure that households are not disconnected from the heating supply during the winter due to non-payment or late payments. The Minister for Labour and Social Protection, Natalia Plugaru, made this statement, noting that the possibility of paying bills in instalments is also being considered.

Natalia Plugaru

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“…We are also looking into the possibility of spreading payments over time, so that people do not have to pay the full amount in a single month, but can pay their bills in instalments. We want to ensure that there are no disconnections or service interruptions due to non-payment or late payments during the winter,” Natalia Plugaru told TV8.

The minister has not yet announced the exact amount of the compensation or the exact number of households that will receive it, but she specified that at least 620,000 households will benefit from this support.

“As last year’s amount was between 500 and 1,000 lei, this year we will certainly not go below 500 lei. As for the upper limit, we are considering whether to keep it the same or increase it slightly, so that the average compensation is higher. As prices have risen so sharply — by practically 80 per cent for gas — we realise we cannot leave people without support during the winter, and we are now returning to the idea of at least not reducing the number of households. Thus, the red line is 620,000,” said Natalia Plugaru.

Donors are still assessing the situation

Nor is the situation regarding financial support from development partners entirely clear. Plugaru reiterated what other government representatives, including Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, have stated on numerous previous occasions: “Discussions are ongoing”.

“Just this week, the Prime Minister held a meeting and we presented our calculations and concerns, asking for support from EU countries – and others – to provide compensation. … The message was that they would return to their capitals to see what budgets might be available. And we do, in fact, understand that European countries are also going through a crisis and need to help their own citizens,” said the minister.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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