Skopje, 12 April 2023 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister in charge of good governance policies, Slavica Grkovska, said Wednesday she sees no reasons why the contract with Bechtel-Enka on the construction of corridors VIII and X-d shouldn’t be published, unless it contains a clause which forbids it.

“I don’t see why the contract shouldn’t be published. We are talking about a strategic contract of national interest, I am not sure at the moment, I will check if there are any clauses that prevent this. If there aren’t, then I will say once again, this is a contract of national and strategic interest and I don’t think it should be hidden from the public,” said Deputy PM Grkovska in response to a journalist’s question.

Concerning the legal amendments that would increase the working week from 40 to 60 hours, which would only apply to the project of the corridors, Grkovska said she expects things to clear up when the laws are debated in Parliament.

“You can see that there is a fairly large number of amendments. This is a measure which only applies to projects of strategic and national interest and with prior consent of the employee. So, this will only be done if the employee accepts it,” said Grkovska.

Asked on the possibility of this being abused my employers, the Deputy PM urged all relevant institutions to find solutions that would make this impossible.

“I want to urge all relevant institutions to review this from all possible aspects and if they determine any issues that could put into question the constitutionality of the law or create contradictions with other laws and rights, I urge them to find a solution which would be acceptable for everyone with the goal of achieving the strategic and national priorities,” said Grkovska.