May 2 to be a working day in Moldova

Public sector employees will have a day off on May 1, when International Workers' Day is marked in Moldova. At the same time, May 2 will be a working day for employees. The spokesman for the government, Daniel Voda, has made statements to this effect.

“May 1 will be a day off for most citizens; yet, representatives of many professions will still continue to work. We thank each doctor, medical assistant, ambulance driver, stretcher bearer, nurse, paramedic, rescuer, police officer, firefighter, military personnel, 112 service operator, security guard, trolleybus, bus or taxi driver, air traffic controller, pilot, train mechanic, baker, sanitation workers, electricity system workers, personal assistants and any employee who never gets a day off. We thank all those who work nights and holidays, including Easter or Christmas,” said Daniel Voda.

The government’s spokesperson emphasized that May 1 was dedicated to recognizing the efforts and contributions of each worker to the development of Moldova.

“May 1 is International Workers' Day. Legal work for a safer future is a concern of the authorities this year as well. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the efforts and contributions of each worker to the development of Moldova. On this occasion, the government reaffirms its commitment to supporting workers through policies that lead to income growth and the creation of a safe and legal working environment,” Daniel Voda also said.

He noted that, in recent years, the authorities had made constant efforts to improve working conditions and living standards for citizens. Thus, the minimum wage has been increased, reaching 5,500 lei in 2025, growing by 87 per cent increase compared to 2021, when it was only 2,935 lei said Daniel Voda. Also, according to him, the average salary forecast for this year is estimated at 16,100 lei, compared to 9,100 lei in 2021.

Statistics also show that the unemployment rate in Moldova recorded a decrease, from 4.6 per cent in 2023 to 4 per cent in 2024.

In 1889, the International Socialist Congress decreed May 1 as International Workers' Day, in memory of the victims of the general strike in Chicago (USA) in 1886, with the day commemorated through workers' demonstrations. Over time, May 1 has become the holiday of labor movements in most countries of the world, with various manifestations gaining momentum, as authorities agreed with unions to turn this day a in a day off.