Payroll and Benefits Guide Moldova

Annual Leave (vacation)

Employees are generally entitled to 28 calendar days of paid annual leave, as well as the public holidays. The vacation may be taken in parts, but at least one part must be of at least 14 consecutive calendar days.

Pro-rata paid holiday for the first year of work is given to the employee after six months of continuous work.

Employees are generally entitled to a holiday allowance of an amount at least corresponding to the wages they would be paid for the duration of the leave. Payment is due to be paid to the employee at least 3 days before the leave.

PTO carryover

Public Holidays

The Government decides each year if public holidays falling on Sundays are moved to a weekday in lieu.

Sick Days

Sick leave can be issued for up to 180 calendar days per year, extendable at the doctor’s discretion.

The first 5 calendar days of sickness absence is paid by the Employer at 75% salary.

From the 6th day onwards the State National Insurance House (CNAS) covers payment for the remaining sick leave based on the average salary over the last 12 months prior to the illness as follows:

• Up to 5 years of service → 60% of the calculation base
  • 5 to 8 years of service → 70% of the calculation base
  • More than 8 years of service → 90% of the calculation base

The employer must be informed on the first day of leave. A medical certificate must also be provided by a doctor as proof of illness as soon as possible.

Employers are only required to cover a maximum of 15 days of sick leave per year, Following which the CNAS covers the sick leave from the first day.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave of 126 calendar days split between pre-natal leave of 70 calendar days before the birth and post-natal leave of 56 calendar days after the birth. Leave is paid by the State Social Insurance.

If complications occur during childbirth or the mother gives birth to two or more children, the post-natal period is extended to 70 days, totaling 140 calendar days maternity leave.

A woman who is expecting one or two children starts her maternity leave at the 30th week of pregnancy. Where she is expecting three or more children, maternity leave starts at the 24th week of
pregnancy.

The rate of maternity pay depends on the insured status and the average salary for the 12 months prior to maternity leave but cannot exceed five times the projected average salary in the economy. A woman who is insured will receive a maternity allowance equivalent to 100% of the average monthly insured income for the last 12 months before the start of maternity leave. Payment is made directly to the employee by National Social Insurance House (CNAS).

A medical certificate confirming the pregnancy must be provided for leave to be granted.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to take 15 calendar days of paid paternity leave. Leave can be divided into no more than three parts within the first 12 months after the child’s birth and each part must be at least five calendar days.

A copy of the birth certificate must be provided for leave to be granted.

Fathers are entitled to share the female employee’s maternity benefit and leave, as stipulated in the employment contract/Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Parental Leave

Partially Paid Childcare leave can be applied for following the completion of the maternity or paternity leave, until the child reaches the age of 3. This leave is paid by the State Social insurance at a rate between 30-90% salary depending on the length of the leave. Both parents can use this leave alternatively and in parts, without overlap, within 30 days of the request.

Additional Paid Vacation of 4 days is available to be taken each year by the mother or the father who have two or more children under the age of 14.

Unpaid Vacation of 14 calendar days per year can be used by female employees with two or more children under the age of 14 and single parents with at least one child under the age of 14.

Other Leave

Bereavement Leave – Employees are entitled to 3 days leave upon the death of an immediate relative (parent, child), and 1 day leave upon the death of a non immediate relative. To be eligible for this leave, an employee must have completed at least six months of service.

Care Leave – Upon written request, employees can take 5 working days per year of unpaid leave to care for a person living in the same dwelling. To access this leave, workers must provide (1) a copy of the identification card of the person for whose care leave is requested, (2) a statement by the employee that the person for whose care leave is requested resides in the same dwelling, (3) a medical certificate issued by a healthcare institution for the person for whose care leave is requested.

Military Leave – Individuals who are called for mandatory military service or conscription are entitled to leave during the duration of their service. The employer doesn’t need to pay salary while employee is in military leave but the worker cannot be dismissed or penalized for being called to military service and employees have the right to return to their previous position after completing military service. If the position is no longer available, the employer must provide a similar job with equivalent pay.