Moldova's prime minister-designate says shares people’s indignation as for ''outrageous'' salaries, does not tolerate such cases

Prime minister-designate Vasile Tofan has said that he shared people’s indignation over excessive salaries in the public sector and described some cases reported in the press as abuses. The statement was made today during the parliament meeting, at the debates on the activity programme of the future government.

“I share your indignation and I share people’s indignation regarding outrageous salaries. I also consider the cases that have been reported in the press to be an abuse. They are certainly abuses. And, if you want a direct answer, I do not tolerate such cases,” Vasile Tofan said.

The prime minister-designate specified that he supported the principle of meritocracy and considers it justified to adequately remunerate specialists in fields where the state faces difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified employees.

“I believe in meritocracy. Indeed, there are rare competencies in IT, in cybersecurity and in other fields where specialists are hard to find, and in those areas, the state must employ and pay people at the appropriate level. Otherwise, we will not be able to attract these specialists,” Tofan said.

At the same time, the designated candidate for the position of prime minister drew a distinction between salaries justified by the level of competence and responsibility and the cases he considers abusive.

“At the same time, many of the cases that have been publicized have indeed been abuses, they have truly been cases of blatant arrogance. I fully share your frustration and I take responsibility for coming forward, including with regulatory provisions, to prevent such cases,” Vasile Tofan noted.

The prime minister-designate also said that in situations where violations of the law are found, they must be investigated by the competent authorities, and the judiciary must be able to act without interference.

“And where violations of the law are also found, the judiciary must do its duty and must have full freedom to deliver justice in these cases,” Vasile Tofan concluded.