First Action Plan on Youth Employment in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

First Action Plan on Youth Employment in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The youth unemployment rate of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is one of the highest worldwide, standing at 53.3 per cent in 2011, and it is nearly twice the unemployment rate of adults (31.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2012¹). Therefore the Government and social partners requested the ILO’s technical assistance to improve the labour market prospects of young women and men in the country. Youth employment is also a high priority of the Decent Work Country Programme for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 2010-2013.

On the occasion of the plan’s adoption , the ILO National Coordinator, Emil Kristanovski, conducted an interview with the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Mr Spiro Ristovski.

1. Mr. Ristovski, the Government has recently adopted the first National Youth Employment Action Plan. Why did you decide to take this step, and why did you put special focus on youth? 

Youth is the crucial period in life when people start to accomplish their aspirations, in order to gain economic independence and find their place in the society. The difficulties in entering the world of work have a serious impact on young people, including the higher risk of poverty and loss of valuable skills, talents and energy. Job creation for young women and men is a core element of the progression towards a better economy, better society and stronger democracy. Inclusion in the labour market is not only critical for success at work, but also has a multiplying effect during the lifetime of individuals, their families and the society. Having in mind this situation, the Macedonian Government considers it necessary to undertake complex and harmonized measures aimed at early inclusion of youth in the labour market, as well as ensuring an easier school to work transition. These are the main reasons for the drafting and adopting the first Youth Employment Action Plan of the country. 

2. What are the priorities of the plan and why within the timeframe 2013-2015?

  Youth is the future of every country, and thus the Youth Employment Action Plan is focused on strengthening employment policies, including educational, training and youth programmes, in order to improve their opportunities for employment and social inclusion. It is harmonized with the National Employment Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia 2015, where youth represents a special target group.

Our priorities to boost youth employment are education, private sector development and labour market policies. Their interaction with the macroeconomic, investment and social policies is expected to turn the focus of job creation to the youth aged 15 to 29.

3. Minister, the world faces a job crisis, and your country is not immune to global circumstances. When defining the priorities, did you take into account the global crisis and its impact to the achievement of the objectives laid down in the National Youth Employment Action Plan?

 Youth employment is particularly sensitive to economic cycles. Young people are generally the first ones to lose their jobs in time of economic recession and the last ones to be employed in time of economic growth. This is one of the main reasons why youth is so seriously affected. The Government is fully aware of the challenges brought by the global economic crisis and they were all taken into consideration while drafting the Youth Employment Action Plan, which targets 28 per cent of the total young population aged 15 to 29. In addition, the young generation is a priority target group in the Operational Plan for Active Employment Programmes and Measures, where approximately 40 per cent of all covered persons are young people.

4. What was the process of identifying the priorities and adopting the plan by your Government like? Did you ensure an inclusive process of all stakeholders and social partners?

The process of identifying the priorities was carried out by a tripartite working group composed of members of relevant institutions in charge of implementing the activities, social partners and experts from the International Labour Organization, and it was done through situation analysis and adjustment of activities to the Programme of the Macedonian Government for the period of 2011-2015.The Action Plan contains mid-term priorities from macroeconomic and fiscal policies and priorities established in the National Employment Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia 2015 and the National Employment Action Plan 2011-2013. Moreover, the Youth Employment Action Plan 2013-2015 was also discussed in the Economic and Social Council, which gave a positive evaluation and supported the planned activities, all in the direction of improving the situation on the labour market through the reduction of the mismatch between labour demand and supply, as well as through reduction of the informal economy.