Over 7,000 undeclared workers identified in 2026
Since the beginning of 2026, over 7,000 people were found to be working "undeclared" as a result of national inspections conducted by the State Labor Inspectorate (ISM). Most violations of labor laws were reported in sectors where this issue is most prevalent, including agriculture, construction, hospitality (HoReCa), and trade.
According to the State Labor Inspectorate (ISM), between June 22 and 26, 42 employers were inspected, and 937 individuals were found working without legal employment contracts.
As a result of the inspectors' interventions, 825 of these individuals were able to legalize their employment status, thereby gaining access to the rights and social protections mandated by law.
Despite ongoing efforts, undeclared work remains a widespread issue. However, authorities report that measures to monitor and formalize employment relationships are producing positive outcomes.
In 2025, the State Labor Inspectorate identified over 8,000 individuals working without individual employment contracts, and approximately 91% of them subsequently secured legal employment.
The State Labor Inspectorate warns that undeclared work undermines employee rights, disrupts fair competition within the business sector, and leads to reduced public revenues due to unpaid contributions and taxes.
In light of this situation, the Inspectorate has announced its commitment to continuing control and informational actions, urging employers to formalize and declare employment relationships in accordance with legal requirements.
Additionally, the Chisinau government adopted the Decent Work Country Programme for the 2025-2027 period in May 2025. The primary goal of this program is to ensure safe and fairly compensated employment for the population while promoting national productivity through impactful investments in the economy.
