Moldovan labour, social protection minister promises to contunue modernising Moldova

Chisinau, 4 July /MOLDPRES/ - Interview with Labour, Social Protection and Family Minister Stela Grigoras

[MOLDPRES]: Mrs. Minister Grigoras, you are facing a motion of censure filed by the MPs of the faction of the Party of Socialists (PSRM). Do you describe the charges brought as justified?  

[Grigoras]: I have understood from this range of motions, which reached my humble person, that politicians are tempted to make politics even from nothing. Usually, I react calmly to such attacks; moreover, we have an agenda with 1,001 drafts, so that, frankly speaking, I do not know whether it is the case for us to spend time for political settling of accounts, so much the more for shaping the image. A lot of people live in this country who expect from us concrete steps, good news, results, improving and, of course, something in the pocket, here and now. Maybe political statements are good, but if we produce only political statements, the situation may be serious. I try not to be malicious, but I cannot accept injustice either. I would like to say, beyond modesty, that the Labour, Social Protection and Family Ministry, works with all engines started. We know that not at all easy, long-lasting, complex and  multidimensional reforms are needed in the social sector, but which must be carried out, as they expected by society; therefore, I will continue contributing to this work of modernization on social dimension, as I consider myself to be part of the governmental team and I still feel parliamentary support.    

[MOLDPRES]: Which are the latest indexes as to the unemployment rate?

[Grigoras]: Statistic data for the first quarter of 2016 shows that there were 74,400 jobless persons, by 23,500 less against the similar period of the last year. Naturally, this decrease does not make us happier, and this on grounds that, unfortunately, we face a rather high unemployment rate among young people. We have 35 labour force employment agencies; yet, the number as such does not mean everything, this is just an instrument. The important thing is that we revise the legal framework in the employment sector – a goal set also in the action plan for implementing the Association Agreement and the government’s action programme, with the time interval 2016-2017. At the same time, we are in full process of developing a new strategy of employment, as well as of a new law on backing employment. All these normative acts will be of good help and they will meet, I hope, properly the challenges of Moldova’s labour market, among which also the joblessness among young people.  

[MOLDPRES]:  Will there be other salary increases this year?  

R: There is no society which is not aspiring to and is not demanding a proper labour remuneration and this is only natural. As for the policies on guaranteeing a minimum salary on the economy, I emphasize the fact that the minimum guaranteed quantum of the salary for the real sector of the national economy is annually revised, depending on the annual overall increase in the consumer prices index and the rate of increase in the labour productivity nationally. Starting from 1 May 2016, the minimum guaranteed quantum of the salary for the real sector of the national economy has been set at 2,100 lei monthly, against 1,900 lei established in 2015. Within the limits of the means seen in the national public budget for staff expenses, measures are provided for 2016, dealing with the increase in salaries for different categories of wage earners from budget-financed institutions, such as, for instance, the wages of judges, which starting from 1 April 2016 have been paid in full quantum, provided for in the law No 328 from 23 December 2013 on magistrates’ wage payment. Also starting from this year, the civil servants benefit from payment of an yearly prize for the results of the work in the year before. Also, under assessment of the individual professional performances, the civil servants, once a year, may switch to other wage payment levels. Beginning with 1 June, the persons employed in workers’ professions are benefitting from increase for length of service. And another specification as to the topic of budgetary purse would be that, starting from 1 September, the teachers’ salaries will be increased by 8.6 per cent. To pay wages, we have set many goals, yet, they not always meet the available financial possibilities.

[MOLDPRE]: In conditions of a robust economic growth, can we expect significant increases in pensions? 

[Grigoras]:  As for the pensions system in general, we should recognize the lack of reforms in the field in the last ten years, and I mean the retirement age and the length of contribution, the so called ‘’electoral contribution’’ etc., actions made in parallel with the economic realities and which, in fact, distorted the system by increasing the deficit of the social insurances budget. I want to tell you, with all responsibility, that, in the lack of parametric short-term structural reforms and structural long-term reforms, the system runs the risk of getting into a default in the near future. Under an instruction by the prime minister, a working group was set up, in order to reform the present retirement system. We must formulate the concept till 15 July, and till 30 September – develop a draft law on amendment and completion of the legislation in force. In fact, the finality of our efforts cannot be but provide the elderly citizens with a really well-deserved pension, as a little amount can never be well-deserved.

[MOLDPRES]: To what extent the Labour, Social Protection and Family Ministry covers the Personal Assistance service?

[Grigoras]: The Personal Assistance service was introduced on 1 January 2013, in order to provide assistance and care to children and adults with severe disabilities, so as to help them lead an as independent as possible life in their home and in community. Presently, 1,890 personal assistants work, who serve the same number of people with special needs. It is worth mentioning that the spending for organization and work of social services, including the social service Personal Assistance, are met by the provider of the service (second-level local public administration authorities) and are carried out within the limit of allocations provided for in the concerned budgets, as well as of the means coming from donations, grants and other sources, in line with the legislation.  

[MOLDPRES]:  Is it true that a lot of social assistants leave the system?  

[Grigoras]: On the last period, I have had more meetings in the staffs of social assistants in the territory. There are many problems. I understood that the principal (if the not the only) reason explaining the high level of fluctuation of social assistants consists in the size of salary. Respectively, the only solution would be to increase the wage payment level. The social assistant bears a big social burden. He/she is the only one to go to homes of those where nobody enters for years. That is why, the assistant must be valued and helped, if we want performances. The Labour, Social Protection and Family Ministry has worked out a government draft decision, under which the National Social Assistance Agency will be created. The purpose of the latter is to enhance the quality of social assistance provided to  residents, strengthen and optimize the social assistance system. And the Ministry  will have the duty to monitor the social assistance system on the whole.

- Mrs. Minister, thank you for the interview.  

(Editor M. Jantovan)