"Through a joint commitment, we can build a more inclusive, productive and resilient labour market. By working together, we can create quality employment, strengthen labour market institutions, support the development of sustainable enterprises and realize fundamental principles and rights at work," said Claire Harasty, ILO Director for Central and Eastern Europe at the signing ceremony of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) on 27 October, 2026 in Skopje.
Developed through tripartite consultations, the Programme provides a framework for cooperation between the ILO and its tripartite constituents in North Macedonia. It is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026-2030, supporting its strategic priority on a sustainable economy and decent work. The Programme also links labour market reforms with the country's broader agenda for sustainable development and European integration objectives.
The world of work in North Macedonia is changing. While the country records continuous progress in socio-economic development, labour shortages, demographic shifts and emigration, skills mismatches between supply and demand, low participation of women and youth in the labour market, informal work, and limited productivity continue to pose significant challenges.
The new DWCP responds to these challenges and focuses on three priority areas: Creating enabling economic environment, through the harmonisation of labour legislation and occupational safety and health legislation, the promotion of social dialogue and collective bargaining, as well as support for productive, competitive, innovative, and sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises; Enhancing vocational training and skills development, through the improvement of vocational education, training, and lifelong learning systems, to better respond to labour market needs; and Enabling economic empowerment of women, through the promotion of equal opportunities and the removal of barriers to labour market participation, including care responsibilities, the gender pay gap, and violence and harassment in the workplace.
"With the signing of the Decent Work Country Programme 2026-2030, we reaffirm our commitment to creating better-quality, better-paid and more secure jobs. Our priorities are to advance workers' rights, develop skills that respond to labour market needs, increase the labour market participation of young people and women, and reduce the informal economy. In partnership with the International Labour Organization and our social partners, we will continue implementing reforms to improve working conditions and strengthen the economy. We will measure the success of this Programme through tangible improvements experienced by workers and businesses, since our goal is to make decent work a reality for every citizen," said Besar Durmishi, Minister of Economy and Labour of North Macedonia.
The Government, employers' organizations, and trade unions will implement the Programme with support from the ILO. This joint work should contribute to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening labour market institutions, protecting workers' rights, promoting safer and healthier workplaces, ensuring inclusive employment opportunities and supporting further alignment with international labour standards and the EU acquis.
