Salaries of employees in some regulatory institutions of Moldova might be capped

The salaries of employees in some regulatory institutions might be capped, amid opinions that their wages are exorbitant. MP, the head of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, Radu Marian, has made statements to this effect.

“We are currently considering the option of having a salary cap for public institutions that are outside the state budget. This does not concern state companies. Entities like National Financial Market Commission (CNPF), the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI), which do not receive money from the budget, but collect money from certain regulatory fees, from companies and the private sector,” Radu Marian said at the show 'Rezoomat' at Realitatea TV.

Radu Marian noted that international norms established that entities regulating very powerful sectors, such as banks, energy, oil, should have salaries similar to or at least close to the ones in these industries.

“I understand the citizens who say there is social inequality because these salaries are high. The international norm reads that these entities, which regulate very powerful sectors, such as banks, energy, oil, should have salaries similar to or at least close to the ones in these industries. We are analyzing a draft law and will see in which parameters we place these caps,” the deputy of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) said.

The official informed that the institutions that might be affected include ANRCETI, National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) and CNPF.

“There are four such institutions – National Bank of Moldova (BNM), ANRCETI, CNPF, and ANRE. Probably, we will not intervene at BNM, because there are aspects of the Central Bank's independence that we certainly cannot address. But there are discussions for the rest,” Radu Marian said.

The head of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance  emphasized that the cap would be set based on the average salary.

“It is a measure that only has an emotional impact. This will not help us sharply reduce the deficit. If we approve this measure, it could bring us savings of a few million per year,” Radu Marian added.