In January-March 2024, the Council of Europe organised the HELP course "Labour Law as Human Rights" for judges, lawyers and prosecutors in the Republic of Moldova.

The HELP Course was implemented by the European Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP), in cooperation with the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova within the Council of Europe project "Enhancing employment rights in the Republic of Moldova". 

The Course was designed to contribute to building capacities of legal professionals and enhancing their knowledge on labour rights as provided under the European Social Charter and other international standards.

The course included a comprehensive curriculum covering key concepts, the legal framework of the Council of Europe and the European Union (directly applicable at national level), the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR), as well as specific areas of labour law.

46 judges, prosecutors and lawyers out of a total of 67 registered professionals have successfully completed the course.

The course was conducted by the national tutors, Ms Olga Marandici and Ms Viorica Verdes.

Ms Olga Marandici believes that the HELP course "Labour Rights as Huma Rights" equips judges, prosecutors, and lawyers with knowledge of international standars and correct interpretation and application of labour laws in court proceedings, ensuring fair and impartial justice. This knowledge ensures fair rulings, strong investigations, and informed legal advice. The course promotes social peace, economic stability, and decent working conditions for all.

Ms Viorica Verdes noted that education in labor rights benefits everyone. It creates a fairer, more balanced workplace environment for all parties.

Both Ms Marandici and Ms Verdes advocate for the replication of this course for trainees at the National Institute of Justice, as well as for future judges and prosecutors.

“This course was organized within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2021-2024, and the project "Enhancing Employment Rights in the Republic of Moldova" which is co-funded by the Austrian Development Agency and the Council of Europe.”