Republic of Moldova

The analytical report „Situational analysis through gender lens of the labour force in rural area” has been launched

August 6, 2010, Chişinău – Today a new research study, developed in the framework of the Joint UN Project „Strengthening the National Statistical System”, implemented in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics, has been launched. The analytical report „Situational analysis through gender lens of the labour force in rural area” has been developed by the Urban Development Institute at the request of the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, and includes the assessment of the situation on the labour market (the main features and trends) in the rural environment in all its complexity from the perspective of gender differences. The official statistics offered by the National Bureau of Statistics, but also data provided by National Employment Agency and the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, were the main information sources used in the study. The study was developed with the support of UNIFEM and UNDP and financial assistance of SIDA. 

            According to the authors, the financial crisis had a negative impact on the labour force in the whole country, but in particular in the rural area. At the beginning of 2009 the share of urban population recorded a increase up to 41.4% (+19,1 p. p.), while the rural population decreasing up to 58.6%. In 2009, the population of 15-24 years was most hit by unemployment- 32.2% of all rural unemployed people, and 24.2%, respectively, for the age group of 25-34 years. Since 2007 the share of men in the total active rural population becomes higher than the number of active women. Also, the active women prevail in the age category of 35-54 years, while active men predominate in the extreme age categories (15-34 and 55-64 years). At the same time, the unemployment rate for young women in 2009 has increased up to 12.6%, being lower then the rate of unemployed young men. The previous statements show that the rural area offers a wider basis for labour force formation, therefore a larger labour supply, which needs to be covered by an adequate labour demand. The study also shows that in 2008, 71.6% of the 394.5 thousand persons, declared to have left for abroad in pursuit of a job, were from the rural area. The situation is even more alarming since most of these people were between 15 and 24 years old (35.1%), with women accounting to over 65%. The authors, thus, claim that this is the main cause of the depopulation of the rural areas in the Republic of Moldova. Thus, now the villages are populated mostly by children under the age of 16 years and elderly people, pensioners.

The study launched today provides a series of recommendations for improvement of employment polices with focus on rural area.  The recommendations put stress on seven priority areas and actions aimed at building synergy between government and other stakeholders’ efforts in ensuring increase of employment in rural area, including of women, and decrease of gender pay gap and other factors (geographical location, type of activity etc.).  Amongst the recommendations proposed by the authors of the study we could list the harmonisation of policy and legal frameworks to changes in the labour market during the last 2-3 years.  At the same time, emphasis is put on the need to develop the infrastructure, attract foreign investments and non-reimbursable funds as well as diversification of occupational structure in rural area.  According to the authors of the study, other two areas of intervention should comprise of actions to strengthen cooperation of local public authorities with territorial employment agencies on the one hand and actions to support private initiatives and entrepreneurship by local public authorities, on the other hand. Last but not of least importance, a strategic area of intervention should provide for specific actions to ensure gender equality on the labour market in rural area.

Sergiu Sainciuc, Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family noted the importance and actuality of this study, particularly its relevance for inclusion in the framework of policies aimed at improvement of labour legislation to permit better access to labour market to all citizens, regardless of sex, age and area.  In addition to authors’ findings, according to which the impact of economic & financial crisis represents the main cause of a deeper increase of unemployment rate in rural area as compared to the increase of the respective rate in urban area, deputy minister noted as well the amendment in 2009 of the system on assisting the population through granting social allowances to vulnerable categories, which in turn resulted in an increase in officially registered unemployed.

Matilda Dimovska, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Moldova stated that the study elaborated within the Joint UN Project on Strengthening National Statistical System, shows a modality of usage of sex-disaggregated statistics, especially official statistics, to analyze the capacity of economic activity and employment in rural area. “The topic of the report is both pertinent and timely as the Republic of Moldova engages in key socio and economic reforms to address the impact of the crisis on the country through diminishing the effects of negative factors and to pave the way for sustainable growth and development. I would like to mention that the country benefits economically from giving the gender equality perspective (this being not only a fundamental right, but is also good for business) a more prominent role in its growth strategy. That is why, the analysis and conclusions of this study are extremely important for policy makers in developing adequate policy documents. We do hope that the study released today shall represent a sound basis for further discussions by Government and other stakeholders on promoting employment in rural area and gender equality in view of ensuring socio-economic benefits for the country” – stated Matilda Dimovska.  According to her, in the second half of 2010 the forth research study developed within the Project shall be released. This study refers to population’s heath.

For contact: Aurelia Spataru, Project Manager, Strengthening the National Statistical System Project, tel.: (373 22) 40.31.42, fax: (373 22) 21.08.68; E-mail: aurelia.spataru@undp.org   

"Situational analysis through gender lens of the labour force in rural area" (Rom)