Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

Observance of social labour rights is enhanced in line with international standards, and persons from vulnerable groups have facilitated access to vocational education and training and subsequent employment.

Expected results

The expected outcomes are:

1. Government officials, members of Parliament and target groups (social workers, labour inspectors, trade union representatives, Ombudsperson’s office, Equality Council, legal professionals, civil society organisations' (CSO) representatives and others) promote and protect social and employment rights, particularly employment rights of persons from vulnerable groups, in line with European standards

2. Vocational education and training (VET) institutions are more inclusive and gender responsive, and better able to identify and attract girls and boys/women and men from vulnerable groups and not in employment, education or training (NEET) youth

3. Access to the labour market for vulnerable groups in the VET system is further facilitated

Target group / Beneficiaries

The project's direct beneficiaries are: Staff from the National Labour Inspectorate; legal professionals (judges, lawyers); representatives from the National Human Rights Institution and civil society organisations specialised in equal opportunities, trade union representatives, management, teachers and students of vocational education and training institutions, persons from vulnerable/disadvantaged groups, in particular persons with disabilities, Roma; youth not in employment, education or training (NEET). Altogether the project aims to target an estimated number of 1,300 direct beneficiaries.

Activities

Under Outcome 1 the project will develop the capacities of government officials to promote and protect social and employment rights, particularly employment rights of persons from vulnerable groups, in line with European Standards. In this regard the Labour Code and the relevant national legislation and practices will be harmonized with international standards of relevant field.

Under Outcome 2 a “National Network for NEET Integration in VET system” will be established to assist VET institutions to become more inclusive and gender sensitive, and better able to identify and attract girls and boys/women and men from vulnerable groups and NEET youth. Needs will be assessed in several regions to capture the situation of NEET youth. Capacities of teachers and support services with regards to students (girls and boys/women and men) with special needs within VET will be strengthened.

Under Outcome 3 the project will consolidate the capacities of the VET management and teaching staff, as well as representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), trade unions and the National Agency for Employment to support VET students from vulnerable groups to integrate in the labour market. Soft skills and understanding of labour rights will be increased among VET students from vulnerable groups. Employment opportunities of persons with disabilities, as well as employment of persons from vulnerable groups will be promoted among potential employers.

Context

Employment, training and equal opportunities for persons in vulnerable/disadvantaged groups, labour rights, efficient functioning of the labour inspectorate are areas in which reforms are imminent or most urgently needed in the Republic of Moldova. To align legislation with international standards and best European practices, substantial revision of the legal framework in the area of social and employment rights (i.e. revision of the Labour Code with regard to employment of persons with disabilities, vocational training, legal framework on labour inspection, etc.) is required. The project will aim at assisting the Moldovan authorities to align the relevant national legislation with the European and international standards in a gender sensitive manner. Furthermore, the capacities of authorities and different actors will be developed to promote and protect social and labour rights (employment rights) of vulnerable groups.