Salaries of employees from Moldova's social assistance system to be increased; Labour minister: “An important step in recognizing their work”

The salaries of employees from the social assistance system will be increased. The salary raises will range between 12.4 and 28.7 per cent, depending on the professional category. The measure is part of the salary reform and aims to ensure fairer and more attractive pay for professionals in the field.

The salary increases will cover all categories of staff in the field of social assistance, including community social workers, social workers, professional foster carers, child protection specialists, personal assistants, educator-parents, managers of social services and other professionals in the sector.

In addition to the increased base salary, employees may also benefit from a performance bonus ranging from 6 to 15 per cent, depending on the results achieved. Thus, for example, a community social worker with higher education may get a monthly income of 13,622 lei, including a 15-per cent performance bonus.

The salary reform is based on a new calculation formula, that provides for an increase in the reference value used to determine salaries from 2,400–2,500 lei to 4,200 lei. This change aims to ensure fairer and more attractive remuneration for professionals in the field.

At the same time, starting from 2028, professional qualification grades will be introduced in the social assistance system, which will allow the rewarding of experience, performance and continuous professional development. For each grade, a monthly bonus ranging between 750 and 2,000 lei will be provided.

Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru stressed that the measure was part of the government’s and the ministry’s efforts to strengthen and professionalize social services, by recognizing the importance of the work carried out by specialists who support the most vulnerable categories of citizens every day.

“This salary increase represents an important step in recognizing the extraordinary work that social assistance professionals carry out every day. They are the ones who reach first the children in difficulty, the elderly, people with disabilities and vulnerable families. Through these salary increases and the introduction of qualification grades, we are building a stronger, more professional and more attractive system for those who choose to work in the service of the people,” said Natalia Plugaru.

The measures aim to strengthen the social assistance system and improve working conditions for professionals who contribute to the protection and social inclusion of Moldova’s citizens.