Moldovans working in Germany to receive social benefits

Chisinau, 12 January /MOLDPRES/- Moldovans working in Germany and German citizens working in Moldova will be entitled to receive pension and social benefits provided by the state, according to an agreement signed between the two countries today.

Deputy Labor, Social Protection and Family Minister Viorica Dumbraveanu said that the document provided for setting bilateral commitments to ensure people who had a legal activity on the territory of the states. “The document provides the citizens of both countries with guarantees on social benefits related to assistance in case of loss of breadwinner, occurrence of disability or reaching retirement age”, Dumbraveanu said.

For his part, State Secretary of the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Thorben Albrech pointed out that the agreement had been regulated based on the needs of citizens, developing business and working in these countries. “During a round of negotiations, representatives of the two countries discussed issues related to social protection of employees, set periods of contribution for calculating pension and all other possible benefits”, Albrech said.

Under the document, citizens of Moldova and Germany will have to work at least 5 years to be able to subscribe contribution to the social insurance system in both countries. The agreement will enter into force after completion of all provisions by both parties, and the authorities forecast this will be possible by late 2017.

Moldova has signed similar agreements with 11 states, and now the authorities are holding talks to sign with five countries – Turkey, Latvia, Israel, Italy and Russia. According to data by the ministry, over 15,000 Moldovans are legally working in Germany.   

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor A. Răileanu)