Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Rural Workers' Organisations Convention, 1975 (No. 141) - North Macedonia (Ratification: 2018)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 4. Policy to facilitate and promote the establishment and growth of strong and independent rural workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that rural workers are organized in trade unions, in accordance with the Act on Labour Relations, the largest of which is the Trade Union of Workers from the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Republic of Macedonia, and that around 5,000 workers are employed in agriculture, food and tobacco industry and water industry. The Committee requests the Government to provide further details in this regard, in particular information on the number of trade unions of rural workers and their unionization rate, as well as the sectors covered by existing trade unions.

Articles 4 and 5. Policy to facilitate and promote the establishment and growth of strong and independent rural workers’ organizations and policy of active encouragement of rural workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that while no specific policies have been undertaken regarding the development of rural workers’ organizations, there are general policies that refer to all organizations and their inclusion in social dialogue. The Government also informs that the Act on Labour Relations is currently being amended, with the new draft specifically stipulating that rural workers have the right to establish and join organizations of their own choice. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the Act on Labour Relations, once adopted, and to indicate any provisions dealing specifically with the right to organize of rural workers. Further considering the particular characteristics and challenges of rural workers and their organizations, the Committee encourages the Government to engage in discussion with the relevant organizations with a view to adopting a national policy to facilitate, promote and encourage the establishment of rural workers’ organizations, so as to allow these organizations to play a role in the economic and social development of the country, in line with the Convention.