Skopje, 10 May 2023 (MIA) - The screening meeting for Cluster 3 on Competitiveness and inclusive growth, with Chapter 19- Social policy and employment, continued in Brussels on Wednesday. The meeting was opened with introductory presentations by representatives from the European Commission and deputy negotiator and Secretariat for European Affairs State Secretary, Drita Abdiu-Halili. She said that Chapter 19 is complex and covers several different layers of the social system that strive to achieve numerous social goals and a system of social rights.

"These topics become even more important as part of the efforts that deal with the consequences of numerous crisis and focus on the green and digital transition. These efforts inevitably go in parallel with building righteous social societies, high standards for working conditions, strong social protection, inclusivity and welfare systems, well-functioning labor markets, and gender equality," said Abdiu- Halili in her address.

The bilateral screening meeting is also attended by Jovana Trenchevska Minister of Labor and Social Policy, who before the European Commission pointed out that "equal possibilities, access to labor market, fair working conditions, and inclusivity are the core of national policies and Macedonian legislation."

The Minister referred to "Employment and Social Policy", which is a dynamic area and is continuously aligned with European legislation and practices.

"We prepared a new Law on Labor Relations that promotes a legal framework for the protections of workers' rights. The law will be coordinated with European law and international labor standards. This law was prepared though a broad process of participation and consultation of all relevant entities, including employers' organizations and trade unions, judges, academic community, and other stakeholders," Trenchevska noted.

Trenchevska also spoke about reforms in social inclusivity and protection, referring to social help, which is redesigned even for guaranteed minimal assistance, to meet the minimal existing subsidiaries for those who do not have enough means of living, as well as investments in child protection and provision of greater accessibility in preschool education.

The bilateral screening for Chapter 19 will continue in the next two days, in which representatives of the Macedonian institutions will present the domestic legislative and strategic framework in this area, institutional capacities, and future plans for further alignment with European standards on labor law, work safety and health, employment policies, including youth employment, social protection and inclusion, anti-discrimination, and equal opportunities.

Based on the screening calendar for Cluster 3 on Competitiveness and inclusive growth, two more chapters remain, Chapter 26- Education and culture, Chapter 20- Enterprise and industrial policy, and Chapter 29- Customs union, which will conclude in the first week of June. ssh/sk/