The Economic and Social Council on Friday unanimously endorsed the measures taken to create employments for over 150,000 jobless people under 35, people between the ages of 35 and 50 who are out of work for more than 10 years, 50-year olds and older, the unemployed from vulnerable categories of citizens and people who are 58 and older. The measures are envisaged as part of an employment project launched recently by the Government.

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Dime Spasov said the package of measures had been backed by all social partners in the social dialogue, i.e. trade union organizations and employers’ associations.

“These measures are intended to boost the employment rate, also serving as considerable facilitation for private companies in terms of creating new jobs. They will also contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of socially vulnerable groups and elder citizens on the labour market,” Spasov stated after a session of the Economic and Social Council.

These measures, he added, cover a range of jobless people who meet the criteria.

“I would like to urge all those who are unemployed to participate and send applications at the public calls issued by the private companies once the measures enter into force. I also call on all private companies to take part in the realization of these measures, which I believe will significantly contribute to reducing the unemployment rate in Macedonia,” said the Labour Minister adding that these measures were expected to realistically play a role in reducing unemployment, opening new jobs and improving the living standards of thousands of citizens.

President of the Association of Trade Unions of Macedonia Zivko Mitrevski said that the trade unions had provided their support because they believed the package of measures was “yet another turning point in the fight against our social evil that has been present for many decades – the fight against unemployment.”

Aneta Petrovska-Rusomarski of the Employers’ Organization said the companies set to use these measures, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, would become more competitive on the labour market.

“On the other hand, the employees will be provided with sustainable employment, because these legal changes protect not only the rights of those who have been previously hired, but also the rights of the people who will be employed in line with these measures,” she stressed.

The employment measures are expected to be enforced in May.