Moldova’s Unions Criticize Tofan’s Plans to Reform Labour Code

The trade unions have reacted strongly to Tofan’s plans to reform the Labour Code

The National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova (CNSM) has criticised the Government’s intention to amend the Labour Code, including by simplifying the procedures for dismissing employees.

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This reaction follows Prime Minister Vasile Tofan’s statements regarding the preparation of such amendments, which Logos Press reported on this morning.

The trade unions state that they were not informed about the initiation of the process and are unaware of the arguments underpinning the Government’s intention. The CNSM considers that amendments to labour legislation, particularly the provisions on dismissal, cannot take place without consulting the social partners right from the drafting stage of the proposals.

“The CNSM does not dispute the need to modernise labour legislation or to improve the efficiency of public institutions. However, legal dismissal procedures must not be portrayed as obstacles to economic development or good governance. These procedures are essential safeguards against arbitrary and abusive dismissals by employers. We would point out that the Republic of Moldova has ratified International Labour Organisation Convention No. 158 concerning the termination of employment at the initiative of the employer. According to this Convention, dismissal must be justified on valid grounds, and employees must be afforded procedural safeguards and the right to challenge the dismissal”, states the CNSM’s declaration.

The trade unions reject the argument that legal procedures would hamper human resources management, including in cases where the courts order the reinstatement of employees who have been dismissed in breach of the law.

The CNSM calls on the Government to specify what amendments it intends to propose, at what stage their drafting is, and to ensure the effective involvement of the social partners in the consultation process.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan stated that the current Labour Code is “more communist and more socialist than the codes in Scandinavia” and announced that the Government is working on amending it, one of the reforms on which he will insist.

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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