Companies in the Republic of Moldova are struggling to find and retain qualified employees, this being one of the biggest issues in the business environment, according to the AmCham METRIX survey. In this context, authorities announce measures to attract labor force. The subject was addressed during a public discussion on the theme “AmCham METRIX – labor force trends and availability of human capital”, reports IPN.
According to Alexandru Gozun, the president of AmCham Moldova, who organized the meeting, the METRIX survey highlights the perception of the labor market as being more negative than positive. The systemic issues affecting the labor market are the lack of skilled labor. Similarly, the survey shows that education is not adapted to the real needs of the workforce, which creates high costs for the employer. At the same time, companies face difficulties in retaining and recruiting qualified candidates.
In the same vein, only 9% of respondents said they have tried to hire labor from abroad, and the majority said they focus on domestic labor.
According to the Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, there are about 350 thousand people outside the workforce in Moldova. He believes that in Moldova, as in EU countries, the lack of investment in human capital is a problem. He also believes that there is no country in the world where the education system is perfectly aligned with the job market. Now the focus is on working with employers to encourage on-the-job learning. Emphasis is being placed on ensuring that the social protection system does not discourage work, but is connected so that state institutions can help employers find labor and mobilize more resources.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, reported that the policy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is particularly focused on admission and ensuring the right of legal residence on the territory of the Republic of Moldova for foreign citizens. According to her, the labor market is in constant dynamics and in sectors where there is not enough local workforce, it is necessary to attract from outside the country. In this context, more measures are being taken, including at the legislative level, said the minister.
A bill set to be approved next week by the Government aims at the free movement of EU members and their families. Provisions concerning the term of stay in the country will be revised by introducing the residence card, and it will make the procedure for family members simpler, with no need for a visa in this regard. The most in-demand sectors for foreign labor are construction, the textile industry, the IT field, and the investment sector.
Svetlana Bodaci, HR Director at maib, believes that progress is already underway and the partnerships and reforms taking place are being noticed even by compatriots who wish to return to the country. Similarly, there is evidence of progress and an openness of educational institutions in terms of aligning studies with the needs of studies, but there is a need to work with potential employees who are in the country, with the private sector and state institutions.
AmCham encompasses over 185 companies, employing more than 30 thousand people.