Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

1. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2008, including detailed information in response to its previous comment. The Government indicates that, in light of the priorities of economic and social development of the Republic of Moldova in the process of European integration, it enacted a series of strategic normative acts. In particular, the Committee notes that one of the objectives of the Strategy for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction 2004–06 was the development of human resources, including through educational policies, as a pillar of economic growth and social cohesion. Furthermore, one of the priority directions of the National Strategy for Development for the period 2008–11 is the development of human resources, increasing employment and the promotion of social inclusion. To this end, the National Strategy provides for the efficient use and improvement of the quality of human resources in the Republic of Moldova to ensure the gradual transition from low-skilled economic occupations to occupations involving knowledge and advanced skills, the proliferation of decent workplaces, poverty reduction and social inclusion. The Government approved regulations in 2004 concerning professional orientation and psychological support for the population facing problems connected with their careers. These regulations address the means and conditions for organizing, implementing and financing vocational training activities. The Government also indicates that the regulation establishes concrete activities in the field of vocational guidance, in particular on: employment information; professional consultations; consultations on choosing a profession; consultations on professional selection; adaptation and social and professional integration. The Committee also notes that the “Regulation concerning the way of organization of professional formation of the unemployed”, which was approved in 2003 and amended in 2005, establishes the methods and conditions for organizing, implementing and financing vocational training activities for the unemployed. Vocational training activities for the unemployed include courses organized by training providers and employers, which are aimed at matching labour demand and supply, and at encouraging graduates to find employment. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information in its next report on the policies and programmes currently being implemented, with an indication as to the manner in which account is taken of the factors mentioned in Article 1(2) to (4) of the Convention.

2. Continuous vocational training through life. The Committee notes that the National Strategy for Employment Policies in the Republic of Moldova for 2008–15 provides, inter alia, for the formation of developed human capital as a means of achieving increased employment. In order to give effect to the National Strategy, the Government adopted a National Plan of Action for Employment 2008 which provides, among other things, for the implementation of a project entitled “Grant support for public service for employment in Moldova” which seeks to develop a draft of a national policy to orientate participants, through educational policies and vocational training, so as to encourage integration into the labour market. The Government also indicates that the “Design for Developing Secondary Vocational Education” was revised in 2007 which provides for the implementation of an organizational process which seeks to involve both employers and educational institutions in the provision of vocational training and guidance to workers. The Committee asks the Government to report on any progress made in the context of the development of a national strategy for vocational training aimed at encouraging integration into the labour market. The Committee also requests further information on the status of the steps taken, in the context of the “Design for Developing Secondary Vocational Education”, to involve employers and educational institutions in the vocational training system.

3. Information on employment. The Committee notes that the National Employment Agency and the territorial employment agencies organize “open door days”, “days of professional orientation”, forums on career guidance, round tables and seminars, so as to provide participants with information and guidance on the situation of the labour market, career choices, employment prospects, and the services which they may avail themselves of at the employment agencies. The employment agencies also organize a “Labour Club” which is a special programme which offers information and advice to jobseekers. The Committee hopes that the Government will also include information in its next report on other such initiatives taken to ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are made available to persons concerned.

4. Cooperation with social partners. The Government indicates that “Design for Developing Secondary Vocational Education” provides for the organization of the secondary vocational educational system to be guided by the principle of social partnership, and accordingly stipulates the need for interaction between the social partners. It indicates that, in practice, this principle is implemented through defining the obligations and responsibilities of the State, workers and employers, and by evaluating the activities and programmes. The Committee asks the Government to provide in its next report more information on the manner in which cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations is ensured in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies. It also asks for further information on steps taken to improve mechanisms and procedures at the territorial level so as to enable effective cooperation with social partners.