The Moldovans that are engaged in seasonal agricultural work in Germany will have the same rights as local workers, claim responsibilities within the Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, who signed on Thursday, July 1, a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Agency Federal Office for Employment of Germany.

“The signing of the memorandum of cooperation will provide a framework of legal guarantees for Moldovan workers, based on equity and equal working conditions with German workers, and will help protect their rights in the context of seasonal agricultural work in Germany,” said the State Secretary, Vasile Cușca.

According to the authorities, the agreement provides a number of guarantees for workers – concluding the employment contract directly with the employer, guaranteeing legal residence by issuing a work permit, ensuring working conditions equal to those of local German workers, providing the employer with health insurance for employees, the possibility to benefit from leave and social insurance, in case of long-term employment or repeated employment of Moldovan workers.

The diplomatic document also establishes a mechanism for the protection of the Moldovan citizens in case their rights will not be respected, the Ministry representatives claim.

The provisions of the memorandum will enter into force at the beginning of 2022.

During her official visit to Berlin on May 19, President Maia Sandu stated that “she appreciates the openness of the German authorities to sign an agreement on the employment of Moldovan citizens in seasonal work, in agriculture, in Germany.”

President Sandu Met with the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier