Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - North Macedonia (Ratification: 1991)

Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, received in September 2010. It notes that the Employment Service Agency (ESA) is the public authority in charge of providing free employment services. The Government indicates that during 2009 and 2010, the ESA implemented active labour market measures which contributed to mitigating the impact of the global crisis and decreasing the number of unemployed persons. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the results of the active labour market measures implemented by the ESA, especially in terms of decreasing the number of persons unemployed. It further asks the Government to indicate the measures taken to improve the quality and efficiency of the services provided by the ESA (Article 1(2) of the Convention). Please also supply statistical information concerning the number of employment offices established, applications for employment received, vacancies notified and persons placed in employment by the ESA (Part IV of the report form).

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with the social partners. The Government indicates that, according to section 89 of the Act on Employment and Unemployment Insurance, two of the nine members of the ESA Executive Board are appointed by workers’ organizations and two by employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the arrangements made through advisory committees for the cooperation of employer and worker representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of an employment service policy.

Article 7(a). Arrangements to facilitate specialization. Please provide information on arrangements made to facilitate within the employment offices specialization by occupation and industry, such as agriculture and other branches of activity in which specialization may be useful.

Article 8. Special arrangements for young workers. The Government indicates that, based on the Act on Employment and Unemployment Insurance, the ESA provides professional orientation services, inter alia, to pupils and students and recommends to them the most appropriate type of occupation. The Committee notes that the ESA is also in charge of implementing measures to support the employment of young persons. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the results of the measures implemented by the ESA to increase employment opportunities for young workers.

Article 9. Status and training of employment service staff. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status and conditions of service, methods of recruitment and selection, and arrangements for training of employment service staff.

Article 11. Cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies. The Government indicates that, according to the Act on Employment and Unemployment Insurance, employment mediation in the country and abroad may be carried out by both the ESA and private employment agencies, which shall mutually exchange information on vacancies and match unemployed persons with available jobs. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report information on the measures taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.