Moldova's labour crackdown uncovers record 5,200 undeclared work cases
Authorities in Moldova have identified 5,200 cases of undeclared work in the first eight months of 2025, a figure that exceeds the total recorded over the last eight years combined.
The crackdown is part of a labour reform campaign launched by the government in 2023, aimed at tackling the shadow economy.
The State Labour Inspectorate (SLI) reports that 91% of employees found without a contract have had their employment formalized, ensuring they receive legal rights and social contributions.
The campaign launched by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in November 2023 continues to show significant results. Last year, 3,088 individuals were found working without legal employment, bringing the total number of cases to over 8,000 in under two years. The majority of these workers have since been formally employed.
"When we began this reform in 2023, the State Labour Inspectorate used to find around 80 cases of undeclared work annually," said Labour and Social Protection Minister Alexei Buzu. "Today, we're proud to have already identified 5,200 cases in just eight months, and almost all of them have been formalized. We still have a long way to go, but we are determined to push ahead."
In March 2025, the Ministry of Labour and the SLI, with the support of the International Labour Organization, launched the platform lucrezlegal.md, through which employees can confidentially report cases of undeclared work and seek support from the authorities, free of charge.
Labour inspectors are concentrating their checks on high-risk sectors for non-compliance, including retail, HoReCa, construction, private education, agriculture, and transport, while reducing the pressure on employers who follow the law.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
