Meal voucher system might be implemented in Moldova too

Chisinau, 01 February /MOLDPRES/ – The meal vouchers system could be implemented in Moldova, too. The initiative belongs to Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu.

According to the parliament's communication and public relations department, the draft legislative initiative on food vouchers presented today to business, trade unions and employer representatives and concerned state institutions.

"Meal tickets are proposed to be worth 45 lei per day actually worked. This money will not be taxed and will be used exclusively for food. The value of meal vouchers will be indexed annually. The draft prohibits employee salary reduction for introduction of vouchers. This system operates in several European countries. It is an initiative to fight wages in envelopes, tax evasion, a means of improving the quality of healthcare and labour productivity," said Andrian Candu, the author of the initiative.

According to the draft, meal vouchers will be used exclusively for food on ID presentation. It is prohibited to use food vouchers for tobacco and alcoholic beverages purchase. The vouchers can be used in food shops, canteens, restaurants or cafés. They also can not be exchanged for cash and will not be given the change of the ticket value.

The Trade Unions welcomed the project aimed to improve social protection, to reduce the level of illness of employees and staff turnover.

At their turn, economic operators shared the experiences, so far at this stage, in providing food facilities for employees.

The Economy and Finance Ministries representatives welcomed the speaker’s initiative, expressing their openness to supplement and improve the project.

Andrian Candu announced that the initiative would be discussed in Parliament in spring session 2017.

The first meal tickets were issued in 1954. Nowadays, more European countries, including Britain, Italy, Belgium, Romania and other states apply this system.