TOP 5 achievements of Moldova's Labour and Social Protection Ministry in 2025: social contributions up by 9 per cent, employment via ANOFM up by 20 per cent

Over 20,000 people las year found a job through the National Employment Agency (ANOFM), a 20-per cent increase compared to 2024. Labour inspectors also identified over 8,000 people working without an employment contract, and in 91 per cent of the cases, their work was formalized. These actions contributed to a 9-per cent increase in social contribution payments and to the expansion of social protection for workers. These are the main achievements of the Labour and Social Protection Ministry (MMPS in 2025, presented by Minister Natalia Plugaru in an exclusive interview given with MOLDPRES.





Employment

To facilitate the transition from studies to the labour market for young people up to 35 years old, in 2025 a support programme was implemented to help them enter the workforce, by granting a monthly salary supplement of 3,000 lei for one year, which will continue next year as well.

“Another programme implemented is the certification of knowledge acquired informally or non‑formally, available for 84 professions, as well as the vocational training voucher, meant for people without a qualification or whose occupations no longer match labour market requirements. In addition, the ministry continues to allocate financial resources for employment measures, such as professional internships, on‑the‑job training, subsidies and grants for business start‑ups, aimed at employers, unemployed people and jobseekers,” said Natalia Plugaru.

Special emphasis is placed on the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labour market.

“In 2025, employers who employed persons with disabilities, people over 50 years of age, victims of domestic violence or young people without parental care benefited from subsidies of up to 80 per cent of the basic salary. Complementing these measures, transport allowances were provided to people with disabilities and to residents of rural areas who commute daily to work,” the minister underlined.

According to the official, even though the employment rate is growing, it is still quite low compared to the European Union.

“In the third quarter of 2025, it stood at 58.6 per cent, while the European average is over 70 per cent. We still have work to do in this regard, in order to bring more people into the labour market,” said Natalia Plugaru.

Combating undeclared work

Thanks to the effective activity of the State Labour Inspectorate (SLI), in 2025 more than 8,000 people working without an employment contract were identified, and employment relationships were formalized in 91 per cent of cases.

“In this respect, a package of amendments was promoted in parliament, allowing the SLI to intervene promptly when workers’ rights are affected or when there are real risks to occupational safety and health. We will continue to strengthen the SLI. We focus on formalization and voluntary compliance, not on sanctions, because we want to be a partner for both employees and employers,” said Natalia Plugaru.

Also, to ensure social protection for Moldovan citizens who work legally abroad,  Moldova has concluded 20 social security agreements with states that host a large Diaspora. In 2025, agreements were signed with France and Switzerland, and in 2026 negotiations will continue with other countries, such as the Slovakia, Albania, Ukraine, Croatia, Ireland and the province of Quebec of Canada.

Social assistance and protection of vulnerable people

The RESTART reform has significantly strengthened the social assistance system. Thus, the number of cases managed in 2025 exceeded 66,000, and the number of monitoring cases for children at risk reached 23,000. Support for people with disabilities was also expanded through the development of mobile teams, which are now active in all districts of the country.

“We are proud of the number of beneficiaries we have reached. It is the effort of community social workers and social workers who are on the front line, going from house to house, identifying vulnerable families and vulnerable children. We will continue to do this work. We thank the partners who, throughout the year, have provided support, equipment and vehicles and have invested heavily in training social workers,” the minister noted.

In 2025, the financial support programme for persons with disabilities also continued, with one‑off payments of 5,000 lei provided to children with disabilities and persons with severe disabilities.

Combating domestic violence

In 2025, 4,578 cases of domestic or gender‑based violence were assisted, compared to 170 cases in 2023.

“Presently, there are 10 shelters for women facing violence operating nationally, and this year another centre was opened in Rascani district. The ministry aims to further increase their number and open new centres in Stefan Voda, Telenesti and Cahul. Unfortunately, the phenomenon is quite widespread, and women and girls continue to suffer. However, through social workers, we have increased the number of assisted cases. We are encouraged that, through legislative changes and the services we provide, trust in the system is growing,” emphasized Natalia Plugaru.

To assist victims of domestic and sexual violence, the MMPS finances the helpline for girls and women – 0 8008 8008 – which, this year alone, has handled over 2,500 calls, providing protection, support, free and confidential counselling.

Support for families and social protection for the elderly

In 2025, the one‑off childbirth allowance amounted to 21,350 lei, and the MMPS’s goal is to increase this allowance every year, in order to better support young families.

“Starting from 1 January 2026, the one‑off allowance amounts to 21,886 lei. More than 36,000 children will benefit from it, born both in Moldova and abroad, provided that they have Moldovan citizenship. One‑off payments of 4,000 lei were also provided to children from vulnerable families, 7,350 lei were received by children placed in professional foster care or family‑type children’s homes, and 7,000 lei were granted to children under guardianship or curatorship,” the official added.

The ministry continued the process of de-institutionalizing children, reducing the number of children in residential institutions and expanding family and community support services.

“At present, only 360 children remain in residential institutions. In 2026, two new social services will be opened to prevent risk situations for children who are victims of violence, neglect or exploitation, as well as for children and young people without parental care, in order to support them in the transition to independent living. Also, at the beginning of this year, a new Barnahus Centre will be inaugurated in Cahul, focused on preventing the re-victimization of children who are victims or witnesses of crimes,” specified Natalia Plugaru.

A priority goals stays the development of nursery services to support parents, especially women, in returning to the labour market. In 2025, 241 new nursery places were created, and for 2026–2027 the creation of another 5,000 new places is planned, with investments increasing from 18 million lei in 2024–2025 to 385 million lei in 2026–2027.

To ensure a better standard of living for older people, the minimum old‑age pension was set at 3,055 lei in 2025 and will rise to 3,263 lei in 2026.

“In parallel, the ministry is implementing programmes dedicated to improving the quality of life of older people. The home‑based social care service provided support this year to more than 15,000 elderly people through social worker teams who help people who are bedridden or have reduced mobility,” added Natalia Plugaru.

The implementation of the University of the Third Age Programme also continued, through which 457 people over 65 years of age returned to studies, benefiting from learning opportunities, socialization and active community involvement.

“We want ageing not to be seen as a burden, but to turn ageing into something active and healthy. That is why, we are implementing more programmes together with development partners. At the University of the Third Age, older people return to the university benches and for a year can study and be students in various courses. It is a way to continue lifelong learning, which is important at a certain age. It is also a form of socialization to prevent isolation,” the minister concluded.

The interview given  with MOLDPRES by the Labour and Social Protection Natalia Minister Plugaru is to be published on January 13, this year.