VIDEO // Labour Day 2026 marked by reforms in Moldova: strategies for competitive wages, digital employment services and stronger protection against discrimination

In the context of International Labour Day, public policies in the Republic of Moldova outline a complex picture of the labour market: on the one hand, there is visible progress in employment and wages, while on the other hand structural imbalances persist, including migration and low labour force participation.

Public policies: modernising the labour market

In recent years, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has oriented its policies toward increasing employment, social protection and adapting the workforce to the requirements of the modern economy. The main objective for 2026 is the integration of 25,000 people into the labour market, and the results from the first months – over 5,000 new jobs filled – indicate a solid start.

The positive trend is also confirmed by data from 2025, when more than 20,000 people were employed, an increase of about 20% compared to the previous year. These developments suggest a more efficient employment mechanism and a gradual strengthening of the labour market.

Investment and support instruments

A central element of the reforms is the increase in funding. The budget for active labour market measures has reached around 196 million lei, having been increased sixfold. The funds are directed toward subsidies for employers, training and retraining programmes, stimulating labour mobility and other forms of support for professional integration.

These instruments are designed to reduce unemployment, but especially to correct mismatches between available skills and employers’ requirements.

Strategic reforms and digitalisation

The National Employment Programme 2022–2026 sets clear directions: increasing the employment rate, inclusion of vulnerable groups, reducing discrimination and digitalising services. At the same time, the authorities are preparing a new programme for the period 2027–2030, focused on a competitive labour market aligned with European standards.

Through the National Employment Agency, citizens have access to free services such as career counselling, career guidance, job intermediation and training programmes. The digitalisation of these services is a priority and is expected to facilitate fast and efficient access for beneficiaries.

Infrastructure and social inclusion

Current policies include modernising territorial subdivisions, adapting workplaces for people with disabilities and supporting entrepreneurship among the unemployed. In addition, the development of IT systems contributes to a more efficient management of the labour market.

Statistical data: the reality of the labour market

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2025 the employed population was approximately 774,000 people, and the total labour force about 830,900. The employment rate for the population aged 15 and over is between 40% and 43%, which indicates relatively low participation.

The unemployment rate, at around 3.8%, is low in statistical terms, but this indicator is influenced by migration and the large number of economically inactive people. There are also significant differences between categories:

- participation in the labour market is higher in urban than in rural areas;

- men are more economically active than women;

- people with disabilities have a very low employment rate, of about 14.6%.

In addition, recent developments indicate a decline in the labour force and in the number of vacancies, a sign of the market’s sensitivity to economic and demographic changes.

Wages: growth but also disparities

The average gross wage exceeded 15,000 lei in 2025, reaching around 16,355 lei in the fourth quarter, an increase of about 10% compared to the previous year. For 2026, estimates indicate a level of around 17,400 lei.

The established minimum wage is 6,300 lei, representing the state-guaranteed threshold.

However, differences between sectors remain evident:

- the private sector offers, on average, higher wages than the public sector; - fields such as IT, finance or energy are the best paid; - agriculture, hospitality and culture are at the opposite end.

These disparities reflect the structure of the economy and the different skill levels required in various fields.

Structural challenges

Despite progress, the labour market in the Republic of Moldova faces persistent problems:

- labour migration;

- shortage of qualified staff;

- mismatch between labour demand and supply;

- low participation in economic activity.

These aspects limit growth potential and require continuous adjustments of public policies. The data and policies analysed show that Moldova’s labour market is undergoing a transformation process. Increased investment, employment programmes and the digitalisation of services indicate a clear direction toward modernisation.

However, the reality highlighted by statistics confirms that progress is uneven: employment remains relatively low, and social and economic disparities persist.

Thus, International Labour Day becomes not only a symbolic moment, but also a benchmark for assessing the state’s efforts and for defining future priorities: creating sustainable jobs, increasing labour force participation and reducing inequalities.