Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

North Macedonia

Sickness Insurance (Industry) Convention, 1927 (No. 24) (Ratification: 1991)
Sickness Insurance (Agriculture) Convention, 1927 (No. 25) (Ratification: 1991)

Article 2(1) and (3) of Conventions Nos 24 and 25. Persons protected. Mandatory coverage of apprentices. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its report that all insured persons are entitled to sickness benefits. The Committee observes in this regard that apprentices are not included in the list of mandatorily insured persons, contained in section 5 of the Law on Health Insurance. The Committee further observes that section 13 of the same Law does not expressly recognize the right of apprentices to cash benefits for at least the first 26 weeks of incapacity due to sickness. The Committee also notes that the Government does not make specific reference to the legal provisions providing for the mandatory coverage of apprentices. The Committee recalls that Article 2(1) and (3) of the Conventions provide for the compulsory coverage of apprentices, even if through a special scheme with equivalent benefits. The Committee therefore requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that apprentices are covered by compulsory sickness insurance, either by including them in the list contained in section 5 of the Law on Health Insurance or through a special scheme with equivalent benefits.