Trade unions are demanding that the government urgently adjust its wage and tax policies for 2026
According to the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova, at a meeting with Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilită, trade union representatives presented the minister with a package of proposals and objections regarding the budget drafts and wage policy for 2026. They noted that the draft budget provides for an increase of only one basic salary—from 2,200 to 2,400 lei—and only for certain categories of employees, while the basic salary of 2,500 lei, which applies to the majority of public sector employees (teachers, healthcare workers, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the penitentiary system), remains unchanged. Trade unions are insisting on increasing this amount by at least 6.8%, which is in line with the inflation forecast for 2025. The organization also expresses concern about the proposal to set the minimum wage at 6,300 lei, as this would reduce the ratio of the minimum to the average wage to 39.1%, which is below European recommendations. Trade unions are demanding compliance with the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages (at least 50% of the average and 60% of the median). Furthermore, the current minimum wage does not cover basic needs and does not allow for the formation of a minimum pension without significant subsidies from the state budget, while forecasts for 2026 indicate the need for additional allocations of 2.79 billion lei. Trade unions also proposed providing the right to deduct union dues from income tax, similar to the benefits provided to employer members, and also using deductions for spa resorts similar to tourist vouchers. // 09.12.2025 - InfoMarket
