The Minister of Economy and Labor, Besar Durmishi, had a meeting today with Ms Claire Harasty, Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for Central and Eastern Europe.
At the meeting were discussed the previous engagement of this organization in North Macedonia, the role of the International Labor Organization in implementing social policies, the support for the establishment of the Economic and Social Council in 2010, as well as the implementation of a series of policies on the labor market.
Minister Durmishi emphasized that the close cooperation of the Ministry of Economy and Labor with the ILO from now on will be of great importance for us.
As the Minister emphasized, with the reorganization of the Ministries, the Ministry of Economy and Labor undertakes the responsibilities of the labor sector, which means that the focus of this Ministry in the future will be improving labor rights and creating policies to improve the labor market in the country.
He informed that in accordance with that, now as Minister of Economy and Labor he will preside over the Economic and Social Council (ESC):
"As a Government, social dialogue is of particular importance, that is, the inclusion of all stakeholders when creating measures, we must take into account the interests of both the workers and the business sector. With the reorganization of the Ministries, the Ministry of Economy and Labor now takes over the competence to represent North Macedonia in the ILO. This means that the ILO will be our most important external partner in the field of labor, employment, safety and health at work, the minimum wage, international labor standards and the fulfillment of North Macedonia's international obligations," said Minister Durmishi at the meeting.
The two interlocutors agreed that the key priorities of cooperation in the future will be the promotion of social dialogue, the creation of more and better jobs, and an inclusive labor market.
The Minister expressed his gratitude for the previous support for the activities of the ILO in North Macedonia for the improvement of the rights and living conditions of the workers in our country and expressed the hope that the established successful cooperation will be further deepened in the future.
"In the Ministry of Economy and Labor and with me as Minister of Economy and Labor, you will always have an open door and a partner for the joint creation of measures, especially for your expert and technical support in the creation of legal solutions arising from the labor sector and social dialogue" said Minister Durmishi.