Doha, 16.02.2025
The Minister of Economy and Labor of North Macedonia, Besar Durmishi, is on a working visit to the State of Qatar, where he met with Sheikh Ali bin Saeed bin Sumaik Al-Marri, Minister of Labor, and other representatives of this country.
Minister Durmishi emphasized at the meeting that our two countries have great potential for promoting bilateral cooperation at all levels, as well as for deepening cooperation in all fields, specifically in the field of investments, as North Macedonia has the climate and sufficient capacity to welcome foreign investors.
Minister Durmishi informed that North Macedonia and the State of Qatar have an agreement on regulating the employment of workers, which has been in force since March 2012, which defines the relations between the two countries for the employment of workers, achieving great progress between North Macedonia and Qatar in the area of labor relations.
With the amendments to the law regulating the organization of state administration bodies, the Ministry of Economy and Labor will take over labor relations, employment, living standards and worker protection from June, which will further facilitate the process not only of investments, but also of economic exchange between the two countries.
It is in our interest to establish a memorandum of cooperation that will regulate the areas of cooperation between the two countries.
During his stay in Qatar, Minister Durmishi also emphasized the fact that our country is monitoring the situation with our workers working in Qatar in certain sectors, e.g. in hospitality, construction, healthcare, etc. In this regard, it is necessary to conclude a bilateral mediation agreement, which will regulate the recruitment of workers, the issuance of work visas and residence in a simplified procedure, the duration of the workers' work engagement, their rights and obligations, the obligations of employers, the obligations of the national employment agencies of both countries, etc.
"For us as the Ministry of Economy and Labor, under which jurisdiction are the working conditions of the foreign investors, it is of great importance to work on improving the business climate, in order to have more investments that will mean more employment and greater economic growth. I hope that after this first meeting, we will work together in the future to further improve relations between our two friendly countries. We are working with high intensity to bring as many investors from Qatar as possible, which would significantly improve the economy and the living standards of citizens," said Minister Durmishi.