Skopje, 4 July 2023 (MIA) - The International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Government, trade unions and employers' organisations adopted a new Decent Work Country Programme for North Macedonia for the period 2023-2025 on Tuesday. Creating more and better jobs, improved prospects for employment of young women and men, as well as an inclusive labour market through further promotion of social dialogue, are the key priorities, whose implementation over the next three years will be in the focus of the partners that make up the social dialogue together. 

"Despite the great challenges faced by the whole country, its citizens and the economy, related to the impact of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, we still managed to make a major step forward in promoting the tripartite social dialogue with trade unions and employers' organisations, especially within the Economic and Social Council. Thanks to such cooperation, decisions were made that had a significant impact on the shaping of national economic and social policies. The final effects of such decisions and policies, particularly on the reduction of unemployment and the increase of the minimum and average wages, are undoubtedly the result of the commitment and will of all social partners to cooperate," Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska pointed out. 

The new Decent Work Country Programme essentially builds on and supports the national development priorities set forth in the 2021-2027 National Employment Strategy, 2023-2025 Economic Reform Programme, 2023-2026 Implementation Plan for the Youth Guarantee and the 2023-2025 Action Plan of the Economic and Social Council.

ILO Director for Central and Eastern Europe, Markus Pilgrim, said that since the independence, the country has made progress in economic development and improving the living standards of its citizens.

However, the country is still experiencing one of the slowest income convergence with the EU compared to other Western Balkan countries. Improved participation in the labour market will be crucial to reach the EU level. ILO's support aims to create more employment opportunities, especially for young people, increase productivity and wages, fight discrimination as well as violence and harassment in the workplace and strengthen the voice of social partners, Pilgrim noted. 

In addition to ILO, representatives of institutions and organisations including the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM), Organisation of Employers of Macedonia, Confederation of Free Trade Unions (KSS), Confederation of Union Organisations of Macedonia (KSOM), Business Confederation of Macedonia, and Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia (UNASM) also signed the document on Tuesday. 

"We are encouraged by the fact that the goals to be achieved through the implementation of the new Decent Work Country Programme are in line with the Government's efforts to achieve the goals of sustainable development, set forth in the United Nations Strategy for the period 2021-2025. Therefore, we believe that the adoption and implementation of this Programme will contribute to improving the standard of living of all people in North Macedonia, through equal access to dignified work and productive employment generated by an inclusive and innovative business ecosystem," UN Resident Coordinator Rossana Dudziak noted.

SSM president Slobodan Trendafilov said dignified work, dignified wages and dignified working hours are the main pillars of a state.

According to Trendafilov, dignified working time is attacked today with the 72-hour working week for the construction of the corridors.

KSS president Blagoja Ralpovski expressed hope that the signed document will be implemented.

Participants in the event noted that over the past few years, ILO has been actively working to promote social dialogue as a key instrument in boosting economic and social cohesion, good governance and the creation of more and better jobs. 

Фото: МИА