Over 25,000 residents from left bank of Dniester commute daily to right bank, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration says

Over 25,000 residents from the Transnistrian region cross the Dniester River every day to work, study or access services on the right bank, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Valeriu Chiveri said during a talk show on Jurnal TV, emphasizing that this phenomenon reflects the economic and social differences between the two banks.

According to the official, the increase in mobility is driven, among other factors, by the higher level of salaries and pensions on the right bank.

“Our figures show that over 25,000 residents from the left bank of the Dniester commute every day to the right bank – not necessarily only to Chișinău, but the majority come for work, studies or other needs. There is very intense movement, an attempt to adapt and to survive,” Chiveri said.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the right bank has become a real magnet for residents of the region.

“Salaries and pensions on the right bank are two to three times higher than on the left bank of the Dniester. This is noticeable and explains why more and more citizens choose to come here to work or to benefit from services,” the official explained.

Chiveri drew attention to the fact that the region’s economic situation is increasingly reflected in the ability of the unrecognized authorities to meet their social obligations.

“The share of social expenditures has grown to 85–90%. Even under these conditions, arrears have appeared – not very large, but it is a signal that things are not going very well in terms of budget revenues,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

At the same time, the official highlighted the growing integration of residents from the left bank of the Dniester into the systems on the right bank.

“We have about 75,000 residents from the Transnistrian region included in the health insurance system on the right bank. Over 14,000 are officially employed, and many others are pensioners who benefit from free health insurance,” Chiveri said.

At the same time, over 11,000 people from the region receive pensions and other social benefits from the constitutional authorities.

The trends confirm the widening gap in living standards between the two banks of the Dniester and underscore the role of the right bank as an economic and social point of attraction.