The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) is the main planning framework for the delivery of support by the ILO to member countries. It is developed in consultation with the government and social partners, building on the progress achieved in the past and sets the priorities for the coming period. The new DWCP puts creating more and better jobs, improving employment prospects for young women and men, and fostering an inclusive labor market through strengthened social dialogue in the focus for North Macedonia.

“Since its independence North Macedonia made progress in economic development and improving the living standards of citizens. However, the country is experiencing one of the slowest income convergences with EU compared to peers in the Western Balkans. Improved labour market participation will be of key importance for catching up. The ILO support aims at creating more employment opportunities, especially for youth, increasing productivity and wages, combatting discrimination as well as violence and harassment at the work place, and strengthening the voice of social partners.” said Markus Pilgrim, ILO Director for Central and Eastern Europe.

"I truly expect that with the support we receive from the ILO and the activities outlined in the new National Program for Decent Work, we will succeed in further strengthening social dialogue and realizing our common goals - more dynamic economic and social development, creation of equal opportunities and better jobs, particularly for young people, and social justice for all," noted Jovanka Trenchevska, Minister of Labour and Social Policy. 

The new Decent Work Country Programme builds on and supports the national development priorities established in the National Employment Strategy 2021-2027, the Economic Reforms Programme 2023-2025, the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2026, and the Action Plan of the Economic and Social Council 2023-2025.

"We are encouraged by the fact that the goals of the new Decent Work Country Programme align with the government's efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations Strategy for the period 2021 to 2025. We believe that the adoption and implementation of this programme will contribute to improving the standard of living of all people in North Macedonia, through equal access to decent work and productive employment generated by an inclusive and innovative business ecosystem," pointed out Rossana Dudziak, United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia.

With its permanent presence in the country since 2009 and through the Decent Work Country Programmes, the International Labor Organization supports the partners participating in social dialogue at the national and local levels in overcoming challenges related to labor law reforms, social dialogue, and unemployment. In recent years, the ILO has actively worked on promoting social dialogue as a key instrument for the advancement of economic and social cohesion, good governance, and the creation of more and better jobs. Additionally, the ILO is the only institutional partner of North Macedonia in the introduction and implementation of the Youth Guarantee.