Belgrade, 29 February 2024 (MIA) - The Open Balkan single labor market is to launch on Friday (March 1), meaning that citizens of North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania will be able to get a job in the three countries following a simple procedure, MIA reports from Belgrade.

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce has said that its president Marko Čadež is among the first to receive the Open Balkan ID, an electronic certificate that makes him eligible to work in any of the Open Balkan member-states.

"As of March 1, the citizens of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia can finally live and work in any of the three countries as if their homeland. March 1 is a revolution date for this region, where the first rule of the public administration is 'it cannot be done'. Three years ago, leaders of the Open Balkan member-states signed a visionary decision on free access to the labor market in the Western Balkans," says Čadež.

Over the past three years, he adds, we got to know each other and realized that we have the same problems.

The benefits of free movement of workers across the region are multiple, starting from the possibility to do seasonal work, reduce deficient job positions, strengthen investors' trust, up to growth in key economic sectors.

Free access to the labor market of about 11 million citizens is expected to prevent further brain drain and youth emigration from the region by offering employment opportunities, but also respond to the rising demands for quality staff, both of local and international companies operating in the area.

Citizens of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania who want to work in some of the Open Balkan states or have already found an employer should possess a birth registry number so they can register in a few steps. They will have to fill out a form at the eUprava platform and present a valid biometric document. Based on this data, eUprava generates a single Open Balkan ID (IDOB), for the purpose of submitting a request for free access to the labor market. The respective country makes the final decision upon conducting the required checks. After receiving an approval, the person can get a job under the same conditions as locals for up to two years, with the option of extending the work permit.

MIA file photo