ILO and EU launch project to improve workplace safety in North Macedonia

© ILO

© ILO

SKOPJE (ILO News) — A new project funded by the European Union and led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) aims to strengthen workplace safety and health systems in North Macedonia, reducing injuries and illnesses through comprehensive reforms and capacity building.

The three-year initiative, Towards a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in North Macedonia, was launched on 11 November in Skopje. Endorsed by workers’ and employers’ organizations, and the government, the project will help develop a national policy and strategy on occupational safety and health, align national legislation with international labour standards and EU directives, modernize labour inspection systems, and establish a national digital platform for workplace safety and health.

Globally, 2.9 million workers die each year from work-related accidents, and over 400 million suffer injuries—costing the world economy an estimated 4 percent of global gross domestic product. In the EU, annual losses reach approximately 460 billion euros. Applying similar estimates to North Macedonia, workplace accidents may cost the national economy between 500 and 600 million euros per year.

In 2023, the State Labour Inspectorate conducted over 22,000 inspections, identifying irregularities in nearly half of them. While this reflects increased oversight, it also highlights the need for stronger institutional capacity and improved compliance.

North Macedonia, a candidate to join the EU, has made progress in aligning with EU directives on workplace safety and health, but gaps remain. The ILO project will:

• Develop a national policy and strategy for occupational safety and health for the period 2026–2030
• Fully align national legislation with ILO conventions and EU directives
• Modernize labour inspection through training, digital tools, and a new case management system
• Establish a national digital platform for reporting and analysing workplace accidents and diseases
• Support employers’ and workers’ organizations with training, manuals, and tailored capacity-building interventions
• Promote workplace safety and health education in schools and raise public awareness

By 2028, the project aims to deliver a fully adopted national strategy, a modernized inspection system, a real-time data platform, and a stronger culture of prevention across workplaces and educational institutions.

“Protecting the life and health of every worker is an obligation of every modern state and a top priority of our government,” said Deputy Prime Minister Ljupcho Dimovski. “With this project, we are launching a systemic transformation to ensure that every worker, regardless of occupation, works in conditions that protect their health and life. My gratitude goes to the European Union and the ILO, our long-term partners in this mission.”

Safe and healthy working conditions are not merely a legal obligation — they are a core European value.

Alexandru Albu, Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia

Alexandru Albu, Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia emphasized the project’s alignment with European values: “Safe and healthy working conditions are not merely a legal obligation — they are a core European value. This project will help North Macedonia align its legal framework with EU directives, digitalize inspection processes, and establish a national data system that will enable evidence-based and intelligent risk management.”

Claire Harasty, Director of the International Labour Organization Office for Central and Eastern Europe, highlighted the project’s collaborative approach and its focus on fostering prevention: “This initiative is a joint effort of the International Labour Organization, the Government, and social partners, with generous support from the European Union. Its goal is clear — to improve working conditions by making them safer, healthier, and fairer.”

At the launch event, representatives from the State Labour Inspectorate, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, trade unions, and employer organizations reaffirmed their commitment to improving working conditions through effective social dialogue and shared responsibility.