Labor Shortage in Moldova Could Be Addressed by Bringing in 300,000 Migrant Workers

Moldova is facing a serious labor shortage, and one possible solution to this problem could be to recruit workers from other countries. This was stated by Eugeniu Osmochescu, Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization. According to the minister, a study conducted by the ministry indicates that the national economy is below the minimum productivity level adopted by the European Union. To close this gap, around 300,000 additional workers will need to be recruited, reports tvrmoldova.md “To reach the European Union’s minimum productivity level, we need 300,000 people,” the minister stated. Eugeniu Osmochescu also clarified that three main areas had been identified that are capable of stimulating economic growth. These include industry, information and communication technologies, and agriculture. Given the acute shortage of skilled workers, the minister believes that importing labor is becoming an objective necessity. “I personally hold the view that we need to import labor. We must take this step because we should view the economy as a vehicle. A vehicle cannot move if it has no petrol or other fuel, and workers are precisely the energy that drives the economy,” the official explained. At the same time, he assured that this process would be subject to strict control and would not pose a threat to national security. “The issue of security is paramount, because we are talking about the safety of our citizens. We view the import of labor solely through the prism of the need to protect our society, our state and our citizens,” emphasized Eugeniu Osmochescu. According to the minister, this is not about uncontrolled migration, but about creating a clearly regulated mechanism. “We are not talking about illegal migration. We are not talking about people staying in the country indefinitely. We are talking about labor importation as regulated migration – for a fixed period and to work in specific sectors of the economy,” the official explained. In parallel with this, the authorities intend to actively mobilize domestic resources, including the inactive population, which is currently not participating in the labor market. “We also have an inactive population in the Republic of Moldova, which we need to get moving and involve in the labor market,” added the minister.