Moldovan government to subsidize people who lost jobs in pandemic

Chisinau, 29 April /MOLDPRES/- The cabinet approved regulation on support of the labor market in the Republic of Moldova, which suffered as a result of the crisis caused by Covid-19.

According to the government's communication and protocol department, the pandemic and the measures taken by the authorities to combat Covid-19 infection have led to a significant reduction in production and trade activity, increase in unemployment and decline in consumption, and the labor market was extremely affected.

Therefore, it was decided to grant subsidies to persons who, for a period of at least 12 consecutive months, preceding the month of employment, had no salary income. The money will be provided for employee expenses starting 1 January 2021. The target is young people, diaspora and people who lost their jobs in 2020.

People with disabilities will also be subsidized, except those employed in specialized companies. The amount of the grant awarded will be determined depending on the category of employee. Thus, 200 million lei will be earmarked from the state budget.

"It is welcomed given that the country's economy was severely hit in 2020. It is an important step and expected by many citizens, especially the money, 200 million is set out in state law for this year," Aureliu Ciocoi said.

According to the database of the National Employment Agency, during 2020, the number of unemployed registered at the labor offices was 50.2 thousand people and increased about 1.6 times compared to 2019. Unemployment rate at country level in the fourth quarter of 2020 recorded the value of 4.3%. According to existing data, the number of unemployed registered in January 2020 was 16,599 people, and in January 2021 - 25,525 people.

Respectively, about 9,000 unemployed were not re-employed as a result of the crisis, the given figure being much higher taking into account the number of unemployed not registered with ANOFM.

photo: Government