North Macedonia continues to face significant hurdles in protecting workers' rights, as indicated by the latest Global Rights Index from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The country maintains a rating of 4, which designates 'systematic violations of rights' within the index's methodology.
This rating reflects serious constraints on the collective voice of workers, limitations on union organizing, and gaps in the protection of fundamental labor rights. The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) reports that rather than seeing the expected progress, the current landscape shows stagnation and, in some areas, a deterioration of conditions.
The trade union organization has highlighted several critical issues affecting the labor environment. These include persistent pressure on independent union organizing, the emergence of employer-influenced structures—often referred to as 'yellow unions'—and concerns regarding the privacy of union representatives.
Furthermore, the ITUC report notes a concerning trend across several European nations, where trade union structures are increasingly being controlled by employers or influenced by political agendas. Such developments undermine the independent representation of workers and weaken their bargaining power.
The Global Rights Index tracks key indicators, including the right to strike, collective bargaining, and access to legal protection. The report emphasizes that Europe is currently experiencing its poorest average score since the index's inception, with many countries recording significant restrictions on the right to strike and access to legal recourse.
For North Macedonia, these findings reignite the debate over whether existing labor laws provide genuine protection or if these rights remain merely formal, with limited enforcement in practice. Labor advocates warn that without a robust, independent union presence and functional social dialogue, the country risks further decline in international labor rights rankings.
