North Macedonia draft law proposes permanent status for temporary public workers

A new draft law submitted by a group of lawmakers in North Macedonia proposes transforming temporary public sector contracts into permanent employment. The transition would occur in two phases, with up to 50 percent of eligible workers receiving permanent status immediately and the remainder by December 31, 2027.

The proposal covers individuals working under service contracts, copyright contracts, fixed-term contracts, and those employed through temporary agencies. However, the transition is not automatic; applicants must meet specific job requirements, and the Ministry of Finance holds the authority to reject applications based on budget availability.

Certain institutions are excluded from this law, including primary and secondary schools, universities, scientific institutions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Security Agency, and the Intelligence Agency. From January 1, 2028, public institutions will be restricted to employing temporary workers for no more than 10 percent of their total workforce.

The political party Democratic Renewal of Macedonia (RDM) has called for greater transparency and a merit-based system. RDM expressed concerns that the plan lacks clear guarantees regarding professional competence and equal opportunity, arguing that the government must ensure the process is not used for political patronage.