The opportunities for and the difficulties faced by private companies in the process of implementing family-friendly policies at work were discussed at a coordination meeting conducted within the project “Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova”.

"The private sector is a critical partner in catalyzing sustainable development. Offering employer support to working parents is a way to increase inclusion, create more sustainable work-life balance and attract top talent. The Return on Investment (ROI) for companies from such a business model is huge. Small shifts can have huge implications", said Latika Maskey Pradhan, UNFPA Moldova Deputy Representative ad-interim.

The meeting was attended by representative of the Ministry of Labor, representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova, experts, and representatives of 5 champion companies in the private sector: SA Orange Moldova, S.C. Panilino SRL, , ICS Premier Energy Distribution SA, and Asena Textil SRL.

Representatives of champion companies that committed to implementing family-friendly policies at work discussed with experts the recommendations made following the assessment of the situation. The best solutions to the identified challenges were presented at the meeting. Proposals to improve national policies that will provide support and resources to enable employees to fulfill their unpaid work and care responsibilities have also been considered. According to the study presented, the main solutions for motivating employees are flexible work schedules and distant work, involvement in business processes of people on childcare leave, improving the role and recognition of men as caregivers, planning playgrounds for children, opening crèches in companies etc.

Within the project ”Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova”, during May and June 2021 the Champion Companies from Moldova, Kosovo and Albania were trained and guided on how to use the tools by proposed Swedish company Parent Smart Employers, which helps them become a more family-friendly place.

Expanding Choices: Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans and Moldova is an initiative for increased awareness, knowledge, ideas, strategies and tools for private sector companies, governments, and the wider society. The project is implemented by the UN Population Fund, with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Chamber of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Moldova.