Labour Market Challenges Debated at the National Labour Market and Social Dialogue Forum: Shortages, Informal Employment and Institutional Reforms

Participants examined the growing labour shortage, medium-term forecasts and possible solutions: liberalising the hiring of foreign workers, automation, a higher minimum wage and wider childcare services. Speakers also called for support for young people, including NEETs, through training, career counselling, financial incentives and childcare, and for continued reform of the National Employment Agency to deliver better-targeted active measures.

Another key topic was informal employment: reform of the State Labour Inspectorate, higher fines, more inspections and incentives for voluntary compliance. A final panel reviewed social dialogue and Moldova’s possible accession to the European Economic and Social Committee. Adrian Lupușor noted that Moldova has some of Europe’s lowest wages, while the labour shortage keeps growing and remains a top constraint for businesses, requiring ambitious public policies.