Round-table discussion on Moldovan social protection legislation
Chisinau, 8 September 2010 - A comprehensive legislative assessment of the Moldovan social protection legislation and its compatibility with the European Social Charter was presented at a round-table discussion held in Chisinau.
The assessment has been prepared by Mr. Matti MIKKOLA, Professor of Labour Law, University of Helsinki, with a view of improving the legislation of the Republic of Moldova in the social protection sphere.
The round table was opened by Mrs. Liliana PALIHOVICI, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family. The speakers were Mrs Birute ABRAITIENE, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Ms. Olga KOSTENKO, Head of Parliamentary Assistance Unit, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The need for further legislative reforms was emphasized by the speakers who underlined that “the recent financial crisis and the widespread economic and social distress it created through massive job losses, declining income security and increasing poverty, has once again placed social protection at the centre of policy agendas and debates in Europe.”
The legislative expertise presented at the round-table assesses eleven key laws of social protection in Moldova and outlines a set of recommendations for further reform.
The event brought together senior officials of the governmental agencies dealing with the social issues and the representatives of international organizations, cooperation agencies, civil society and academia.
The roundtable discussion was organised in the framework of the Parliamentary development component of the Joint Programme between the Council of Europe and the European Union on Democracy Support in Moldova in close co-operation with the Parliamentary Committee for Social Protection, Health and Family.
The “Democracy Support Programme” responds to the needs of Moldova expressed by its authorities’ in reforming and streamlining human rights protection mechanisms, strengthening political dialogue and developing a pluralist mass-media.
It applies European standards in the activity of the judiciary system, the prosecution service, the police, the ombudsman institution, the media and the Parliament of Moldova.
The Programme has seven main components, each of them having specific objectives: Legislative assessment; Ensuring accountability for human rights violations; Safeguarding pre-trial guarantees; Support to the Ombudsman institution; Support to the development of a pluralist media; Support to the administrative and political procedures of the Parliament; Support to establishment of facts and reconciliation efforts.
The Joint Programme between the Council of Europe and the European Union is funded by the European Union and is implemented by the Council of Europe.