Moldovan trade union clashes with government over 2026 budget salaries
The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) is urging the government to make significant adjustments to its salary and fiscal policies for 2026.
During a December 9 meeting with Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță, union leaders reiterated the necessity of complying with the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, which sets a benchmark of at least 50% of the average national salary.
The average national salary in Moldova for 2026 is projected to be 17,400 Moldovan Lei (MDL), an increase of over 11% from 2025. However, the minimum wage, as proposed in the 2026 budget draft, is only 6,300 MDL. The CNSM warns that this proposal reduces the minimum-to-average wage ratio to 39.1%—a level far below the European threshold and the 50% target.
The budget draft only adjusts one public sector pay index, increasing it from 2,200 MDL to 2,400 MDL for a small group of employees. Crucially, the main 2,500 MDL salary base, used for the largest part of the public sector, including essential personnel like teachers and medical staff, remains unadjusted.
Trade unions are requesting that this main salary base be increased by a minimum of 6.8%, matching the projected inflation rate.
The Confederation stresses that the current minimum wage does not cover essential living costs, nor does it allow workers to accrue a minimum pension without massive state budget subsidies. Estimates for 2026 already foresee supplementary allocations of 2.79 billion MDL for this purpose.
The CNSM had initially proposed a minimum wage of 8,050 MDL per month, effective January 1, 2026, or at least 7,800 MDL, which would cover the estimated minimum living expenses for an employee with one dependent child.
Budget Prioritizes Investment Amid High Deficit
The Republic of Moldova's 2026 Budget was approved by the Government on December 4, projecting revenues of 79.6 billion MDL and expenditures exceeding 100.5 billion MDL. Consequently, the Moldova deficit for 2026 is set at 20.9 billion MDL (approximately $1.16 billion), or one-fifth of the total planned spending.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu labeled the document the "budget of responsible investments." Capital investments are set to grow substantially by 55%, approaching 3 billion MDL.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță promised that authorities would propose a new salary law in a few months, designed to restore equity and bring "correctness and more dignity" to public sector compensation.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
