A clear majority of Moldovans oppose government proposals to bring large numbers of foreign workers into the country, according to a poll conducted by IMAS Moldova. Despite efforts by officials from the ruling PAS party to present labour migration from poorer Asian countries as beneficial to the economy, the survey suggests that most citizens remain unconvinced.
The poll found that 76% of respondents oppose large-scale foreign worker plans, while only 21% support them. A further 3% were undecided, indicating that the issue has sharply divided public opinion. When asked how many migrant workers Moldova should accept, 59% said they opposed bringing in any foreign workers at all.
Another 19% said they could accept fewer than 10,000 workers, while 6% supported a figure of between 10,000 and 30,000. Four percent were prepared to accept up to 100,000 foreign workers.
Only 3% of respondents supported admitting between 100,000 and 300,000 migrant workers.
Figures ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 foreign workers have repeatedly been mentioned by government representatives in recent months. The IMAS Moldova findings suggest that such proposals remain far outside the level of public support.
