We conducted 19 in-depth interviews with representatives from the Organization of Employers of Macedonia, the ICT Chamber of Commerce (MASIT), the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the International Labour Organization in Macedonia, as well as private companies across various economic sectors in the Republic of Macedonia. These interviews provided valuable insights into the practical application of legal provisions, the flexibility offered by the Labour Relations Law, and the challenges employers will face in the future. One key challenge highlighted is the increasing emigration of skilled labor in search of better opportunities, coupled with the rapidly changing demands of both workers and employers as technology continues to evolve. The majority of private companies we interviewed are from the ICT sector, where the need for more flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, and improved legislative provisions, particularly regarding work outside the employer’s premises, is increasingly critical.

Two focus groups were organized for the project. The first group included individuals from Macedonia engaged in new forms of work, such as remote work, working from home, serving multiple clients, and finding work through online platforms. The second group consisted of workers’ representatives and employers. In the first group, participants highlighted that many forms of new employment are already practiced, especially among younger workers, and are expected to grow. These jobs offer flexibility but also raise concerns about isolation, job security, and lack of social benefits like paid maternity leave and sick leave, which are typically unavailable in non-standard employment. The second focus group discussed the impact of digitalization, the challenges of regulating new forms of employment, and the need for an updated legal framework to address these issues.

Within the frameworks of the Project, the Centre for Research and Policy Making conducted a field survey of a representative sample of employees in the Republic of Macedonia. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,089 respondents employed in the public and private sector. The sample was prepared based on data from the State Statistical Office, published in the eighth edition of the “Regions in the Republic of Macedonia 2017”, which shows the eight non-administrative regions in the country, using the established determined employment rate at regional level which was reflected on the sample.

The webinar aimed to engage social partners, policymakers, academics, and NGO representatives in an open discussion with experts on industrial relations from EU member states, such as Germany. Participants had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Matthias Schäfer, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Economic Department, who shared insights on Germany’s experience with new forms of employment, mini jobs, and the gig economy. He presented survey results on non-standard employment in Germany. The goal was to raise awareness of the impact of these employment forms in developed economies and their role in increasing overall employment and integrating inactive workers into the labor market.

Taking into account the main obstacles/challenges faced by the social partners from Macedonia, the Center for Research and Policy Making organized training for

representatives of trade unions and employers’ organizations. The focus of the training was on increasing the capacities of the social partners to adapt to the new conditions on the labor market, i.e. how to respond with adequate support for their members, in order to provide better social protection for the workers and greater inclusion of the workforce labor market. In addition, the lecturers presented positive practices for improving and promoting the tripartite dialogue. The participants also had the opportunity to discuss and exchange information, ideas and perceptions in order to create a better legal framework that would provide social protection, safety at work and care for the health of workers, as well as the quality of jobs created with development of technology.

Within the project, for the purpose of increasing awareness of the workers rights and potential of application of new forms of work, the expert in the area of trade union association and protection of workers’ rights, Mare Ancheva, prepared a Handbook for Employees. The document includes useful information specifically designed for workers engaged in various industries including those members of trade unions.

CRPM, through its research activities and methodology applied for the first time in Macedonia, collected data on the potential adaptation of industrial relations to address the challenges of digitalization and new forms of work. The research assessed the behavior of workers and social partners, official statistics, field data, and relevant reports, focusing on how to adapt legislation. The analysis covers social protection systems, labor legislation, and potential changes needed to address Industry 4.0 challenges. The national report provides an in-depth overview of the issues and serves as a baseline on this topic.

The report summarizes the findings from national reports across six European countries: Romania, Macedonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Croatia. It provides an overview of the different legislations and their flexibility in adapting to the new market economy. The comparative analysis includes a summary of collected survey data, presenting general perceptions and the status of each country, offering a better understanding of the concepts and potential for new labor relations and the adaptation of industrial relations.

CRPM held a press conference within the project. At the press conference, the lead researcher presented to the media representatives the main findings from the research, that are published in the National Report. Special attention was devoted to presenting the results obtained from the field survey conducted on a representative sample of the workforce.

In the final year of the project, the team organized a concluding conference in Bucharest, providing a platform for exchanging ideas and perspectives among social partners, public institutions, and CSOs. Each partner organization presented key findings and conclusions, and the comparative report was also shared.