[REVISION HISTORY]

North Macedonia labor market and employment initiatives

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2026-10-31 09:24 UTC → 2026-10-31 13:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

North Macedonia has introduced several measures to address labor market challenges, specifically focusing on youth employment and skill alignment. Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi outlined the 2026 Operational Plan, which aims to support over 10,000 citizens, with a priority on individuals under age 29. This plan includes self-employment grants, subsidized employment, and internship programs designed to bridge the gap between education and professional needs. At the ‘NextGen CareerUp’ forum, Durmishi proposed the ‘First Professional Opportunity in Polog’ initiative to better align academic training with economic needs, noting that 1,150 young people are specifically targeted for internships. Building on these efforts, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski signed the National Decent Work Program for 2026–2030. Developed in cooperation with the International Labour Organization, the program seeks to tackle skilled worker shortages and youth emigration through labor legislation reforms, institutional modernization, and strengthened oversight. The program also emphasizes economic empowerment for women and creating domestic career opportunities to reduce the need for citizens to seek work abroad. The program was formally signed by the Government of North Macedonia, employer organizations, trade unions, and the ILO, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. Minister Durmishi noted that the program’s success will be measured by “tangible improvements for workers and companies.” In a ~~separate~~ legislative move, the VMRO-DPMNE party and the ‘Your Macedonia’ coalition submitted a draft law to the Macedonian Parliament to transform temporary public sector contracts into permanent positions. The proposal targets approximately 6,000 workers on service, author, or fixed-term contracts, aiming to provide legal security and pension rights. The transition would occur in two phases, with a final deadline of December 31, 2027. Starting January 1, 2028, temporary contracts would be limited to 10 percent of the workforce in covered institutions.

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