Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered by Romania and Ukraine. The service sector has grown to dominate Moldova's economy and accounts for over 60% of the nation's GDP. While the country is landlocked, it is close to the Black Sea, (separated from an estuary of the Black Sea by only 3 km of Ukrainian territory).

The minimum wage is MDL 1,900 per month for private sector employees, with a standard workweek of 40 hours per week at 8 hours per day. Overtime work in Moldova is limited to 120 hours per year.

Parental Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to paid maternity leave for 70 calendar days before the due date and 56 calendar days after. Employees can usually also receive partially paid leave before their child turns 3 years old. Both leaves are paid for by social insurance.

Mothers with 2+ children under 14 are entitled to 4 additional days of paid leave each year, and can also be granted additional unpaid leave for child nursing. Fathers can share the maternity leave benefit, and can receive 14 days of paternity leave when the child is born.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 5 days of fully paid sick leave each year paid for by the employer. After day 5, employees can take leave that is paid for by social insurance.

Paid Leave

There are 13 public holidays in Moldova, and employees are entitled to 28 days of paid time off each year. At least one part of that time off must be taken as 14 calendar days. Employees can also qualify for other types of leave such as bereavement.

Process

Employers can terminate an employment contract with just cause, provided they give the employee written notice with an explanation for the termination.

Notice Period

The notice period is generally 30 days in Moldova.

Severance Pay

Employees are entitled to severance pay after working one year with the employer. The amount of severance depends on how long the employee worked at the company, usually calculated as 1 week of wages for every year worked. At least 1 month’s salary is due if the reason for termination is economic reasons.

While there is no statutory requirement to provide a 13th salary, annual bonuses are common in Moldova.