Skopje, 13 June 2023 (MIA) — Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska addressed the International Labor Organization's 111th International Labor Conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to an official press release, Minister Trenchevska's speech focused on some of the government's priorities and results of the state's ongoing social dialogue between unions and employers.

"Its main goal is, through the active participation of the main labor market stakeholders — employers, workers and their representatives — to improve the quality of the state's decisions and policies," Trenchevska said.

She said social dialogue was a powerful tool for solving important economic and social issues, for dealing with crises, for encouraging good governance and social justice, for reducing inequality, for economic recovery, and for promoting economic growth.

"Social dialogue leads to mutual understanding between social groups with different interests and reaching solutions to problems in the interest of all," Trenchevska pointed out.

According to the press release, the labor minister also spoke about the state's ongoing negotiations on the General Collective Agreement for the public sector, last signed 15 years ago.

The consultation process was under way, Trenchevska said, and whereas the ultimate solution might not be perfect, she said, it would be a result of a successful dialogue between the government and its social partners.

She also discussed the challenges young people face when looking for jobs after completing their education process.

These challenges, alongside long-term unemployment and frequent participation in the informal economy, "required a systemic approach in solving the problems faced by young people in the Republic of North Macedonia," the minister said.

To reduce youth unemployment and increase the employability of young people, Trenchevska said, the country in 2018 had introduced the Youth Guarantee measure. 

The measure helps unemployed people aged 15 to 29 to receive a suitable job offer, take courses or be involved in an employment program.

Of the 80,000 applicants so far, 40 percent had found jobs or internships or continued their education, which was considered a success, she said. mr/