News Archive
ILO ESAP 2: Improving Performance of the Economic and Social Councils in the Western Balkans
On the second day of Economic and Social Councils’ (ESC) regional meeting, organised by Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) 2 project on May 5 -6, 2022, participants attended workshop that opened discussion of ESC’s performance data for 2021.
ILO ESAP 2: Regional meeting with Economic and Social Councils starts in Montenegro
Representatives of Economic and Social Councils (ESC) from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia started their two-day regional meeting on May 5, 2022. The meeting is organised as part of Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) 2 project. ...
RCC ESAP 2: Labour Inspectors from Western Balkans, including Tax Authorities from some economies, visited Norwegian Labour Inspectorate and Social Partners, exchanging experiences and practices on tackling informal employment
RCC ESAP 2 organized a thematic Study Visit to Norway within its Mutual Assistance Projects focused on Tackling Undeclared Work in the Western Balkans
RCC ESAP 2: More Active Women in the Labour Markets, Stronger the Western Balkan Economies
RCC’s ESAP 2 Project organized 2-day Regional Event (Women and Work and Stronger PES) to discuss women employment and specific actions to enhance Public Employment Services in the Western Balkans
ILO ESAP 2: Interview with Aleksandar Ristovski, author of the Analysis on Collective Bargaining in North Macedonia
ILO interviewed Mr. Aleksandar Ristovski, author of the Analysis on Collective Bargaining in North Macedonia and Associate Professor of Labour Law at Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Law, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje in North Macedonia, who provided us with the answers ...
ILO ESAP 2 publishes Analysis on Collective Bargaining in North Macedonia
Through Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) 2, funded by the European Union, International Labour Organisation is proud to announce the publishing of An Analysis on Collective Bargaining in North Macedonia. This analysis (can be downloaded here (English) and here (Macedonian)) ...
Bregu: When women engage, take responsibilities, grow and help each other they can be a rising tide that lifts all boats
RCC launces the first Regional Women in Entrepreneurship Network in the Western Balkans
ILO ESAP 2 contributes to capacity building of mediators and arbiters in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Following the adoption of the Law on Prohibition of Harassment at Work in 2021, the Agency for Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, launched a series of capacity building activities for its mediators and arbiters.
RCC ESAP 2: Youth Guarantee and Active Labour Market Measures in focus of series of seminars for Public Employment Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Employment and Social Affairs Platform 2 project organized a series of seminars for Public Employment Services (PES) in Bosnia and Herzegovina: PES of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, PES of Republika Srpska and PES of Brcko District in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eurostat: in December 2021 Euro area unemployment was at 7.0%, EU at 6.4%
In December 2021, the euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.0%, down from 7.1% in November 2021 and from 8.2% in December 2020. The EU unemployment rate was 6.4% in December 2021, down from 6.5% in November 2021 and from 7.5% in December 2020. These figures are published by ...
ILO ESAP 2: Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes institutions in the Western Balkans agree on Regional Performance Benchmarking Framework
Participants from seven Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes institutions in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Republika Srpska, Bulgaria, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia) attended virtual meeting on Regional Performance Benchmarking Framework held on 31 January ...
RCC ESAP 2 Evaluated Active Labour Market Measures in North Macedonia and Presented Findings to Public Employment Service
RCC ESAP 2 presented the Analytical Report “Impact Assessment of the Active Labour Market Measures in North Macedonia” to staff of Public Employment Service (PES) in North Macedonia, in a technical workshop focused on select active labour market measures.
RCC ESAP 2 Presents the Analytical Report on Impact of Active Labour Market Measures in North Macedonia
RCC ESAP 2 team together with its partners from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy from North Macedonia organized the presentation of the Analytical report
European Union is Our Future, No Alternative, Interview by RCC Secretary General for Novi Magazin
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to Serbian Novi Magazin about Western Balkans EU integration, Common Regional Market and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, region's response to Covid-19 pandemic and much more.
ILO supports labour inspectorates of Western Balkans: Peer reviews of Canton Sarajevo and Republika Srpska
Labour Inspectorate teams from Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia conducted two peer reviews in Bosnia and Herzegovina that focused on experiential learning and knowledge sharing in order to perform effective inspections.
Majority of the self-employed in the EU are men
Eurostat News
RCC ESAP 2 together with the Labour Inspectorate from Serbia co-hosted the 5th Mutual Assistance Project Aimed at Enhancing Performance in Tackling Undeclared Work
As part of the 2021 Series of Mutual Assistance Projects, one-day MAP session was organized by the RCC ESAP 2 together with the Labour Inspectorate from Serbia
Inspectors from Western Balkans Labour Inspectorates conduct peer reviews (VIDEO)
As part of the Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP) 2 project, implemented by the Interational Labour Organization, 42 inspectors from seven labour inspectorates in the Western Balkans participated in the peer reviews during October and November, 2021. The aim of the peer reviews was ...
Youth-Tailored Solutions Require Youth Participation
RCC’s ESAP 2 Team Leader Amira Ramhorst presented data on youth unemployment at the Mid-Term Conference on Youth Unemployment organised by RCC's Western Balkans Youth Lab Project
Sharing and Learning among Peers from Western Balkan and European Enforcement Authorities Continue at 4th ESAP 2 Mutual Assistance Project Session in 2021
Enhancing performance of Western Balkan enforcement authorities in tackling undeclared continues through mutual exchange
Practitioners from the Western Balkans attend ESAP 2 training: RESOLVING LABOUR DISPUTES MORE EFFECTIVELY BENEFITS EVERYONE
Labour disputes are expensive, time consuming and affect individuals, communities and, subsequently, whole economies. As conflict is inevitable in employment relationships, establishing effective labour dispute resolution processes is one of the keys to minimizing the occurrence and consequences ...
ESAP 2 increases capacities of Labour Inspectorates through peer reviews
With an aim to increase the capacities of Western Balkan Labour Inspectorates to address informal employment and undeclared work, ILO ESAP 2 team will organise seven peer reviews during October and November, 2021.
Western Balkans’ Social Scoreboard and Accompanying Reports Regarding European Pillar of Social Rights Presented by ESAP 2 Project
RCC’s ESAP 2 project gathered its partners and beneficiaries at a 2-day hybrid event to discuss employment and social affairs
ESAP 2 provides new tools to increase effectiveness of the Agencies for Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes in Western Balkans
On October 6 and 7, 2021, Annual Regional Meeting of Network of Agencies for Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes (ASLD) gathered in Belgrade 28 participants from five Western Balkan economies to discuss improving ASLD Institutions through Performance Benchmarking Framework and Case Management ...
ILO Training Program on Skills for Effective Dispute Resolution Starts in Belgrade
Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes Network Members and Mediators from five Western Balkans economies gathered in Belgrade on October 7 and 8, 2021 for trainings on skills for effective dispute resolutions.
ESAP 2 Mutual Assistance Project on how to enhance performance of enforcement authorities in tackling undeclared work continues with Tax Administration Partners from the Western Balkans and Europe
3rd MAP session co-hosted by the RCC ESAP 2 and Tax Administration of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Regional Meeting of the Network of Agencies for Amicable Settlement of Labour Disputes kicks off in Belgrade
Two-day annual regional meeting of the Network of Agencies for amicable settlement of labour disputes (ASLD) kicked off today in Belgrade, Serbia.
New report shows employment and unemployment rates nearly back at pre-crisis levels
The newest quarterly review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) shows that the EU economy and labour market have started to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic with employment and unemployment at almost pre-crisis rates.
CEELEX Network Annual Meeting: Ensuring all workers enjoy basic labour rights
Members of Central Eastern European Labour Legislation database (CEELEX) network held their annual meeting in Saranda, Albania on September 2 and 3, 2021.
Social protection and inclusion policy responses to the COVID-19 crisis
A Synthesis Report has been produced by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN)
CEELex Network Annual Meeting Starts in Albania
Two day annual meeting of the Central Eastern European Labour Legislation database (CEELex) Network started today in Saranda, Albania.
Recent social policy developments in Albania, Italy, Malta, Montenegro and Spain
Six new Flash Reports prepared by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) are now available and provide information on recent social policy developments in Albania, Italy, Malta, Montenegro and Spain.
Eurostat: Statistics on employment characteristics of households
This article, using the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) data, gives insight into characteristics of households with regard to employment. Results are presented for the EU as a whole, for all EU Member States individually, but also for four candidate countries (Montenegro, North ...
Eurostat: Euro area unemployment at 7.7%
Eurostat, June 2021: Euro area unemployment at 7.7%, EU at 7.1%
Public Employment Services smoothing the transition to a greener economy
A new report from the European Network of Public Employment Services highlights the crucial role that PES can play in smoothing the labour market transition to a greener economy, one of the key European objectives of the coming years.
Pilot measure to reduce the number of undeclared workers launched in North Macedonia
New pilot measure that aims to reduce undeclared work in the tourist and catering facilities was launched this month with awareness raising open-air events in Ohrid and Struga, North Macedonia. The pilot measure is part of the projects Employment and Social Affairs Platform - ESAP 2 and ...
Report “The Evaluation of Active Labour Market Policy in Montenegro” Presented in Podgorica Today
RCC’s ESAP 2 Project Supports Partners from Montenegro in Evaluating Active Labour Market Policy within its Technical Assistance Instrument
Over 1 in 6 young adults not in employment or education
Over one in six (17.6 %) of young adults aged 20 to 34 were neither in employment nor education and training (NEET) in 2020 in the European Union (EU), an increase of 1.2 percentage points over 2019.
Second EU – Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on Employment and Social Affairs
With support from the European Union, the Western Balkans will enhance labour market integration of young people.
Employment and Social Developments in Europe review shows diverse impact of COVID-19 crisis
Today, the Commission's services have published the 2021 edition of the Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review.
Bregu: Let the Roaming Free be the turning point for the regional cooperation - “Borderless Connectivity” benefits everyone
RCC Secretary General Bregu takes part in the Berlin Process Summit hosted by German Chancellor Merkel
Regional Roaming Agreement is clear: Roaming charges in the Western Balkans are now ZERO
NO surcharge while in roaming in addition to the domestic retail price for calls, SMS & data in Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021
Bregu: 71% of young people from Western Balkans would go live and work abroad – this is an alarm bell for us all
RCC Secretary General takes part at the high-level plenary session of the Prespa Forum Dialogue
European Skills Agenda & Youth Employment Support: one year on
Already one year has passed since the European Skills Agenda saw the light of day. Time to take stock and look ahead.
May 2021: Euro area unemployment at 7.9%; EU at 7.3%
In May 2021, the euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 7.9%, down from 8.1% in April 2021 and up from 7.5% in May 2020. The EU unemployment rate was 7.3% in May 2021, down from 7.4% in April 2021 and up from 6.9% in May 2020.These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical ...
Council adopts European Child Guarantee
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) has adopted the Commission proposal on establishing a European Child Guarantee.
Data do matter for identifying effective measures and policies in addressing labour markets’ structural weaknesses, including informal employment in particular
RCC’s ESAP 2 Project presents Study on Labour Markets in the Western Balkans at“Data Matters” webinar
Meeting of ILO and Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes in Serbia representatives
Representatives of International Labor Organisation Ada Huibregtse, Chief Technical Advisor, and Jovan Protić, National Coordinator for the Republic of Serbia visited the Republic Agency for Peaceful Resolution of Labor Disputes on June 8, 2021.
How to adapt employment services to build trust with vulnerable young jobseekers
Public Employment Services (PES) have a key role to play in implementing the reinforced Youth Guarantee (YG), but can only do this successfully by showing flexibility in their offer to reach and gain the trust of vulnerable young people – often through partnership-based approaches.
Bregu: With regional youth unemployment rate at 35.1% the need to act is clear, as youth is our most precious asset
RCC’s ESAP Project presents Study on Youth Employment in the Western Balkans
Bregu: Congratulations to all Balkathon winners who showed young people of our region are innovative and creative
6 winning ideas from the Western Balkans awarded at the final Balkathon 2.0 competition ceremony today
Be creative. Be surprising. How Public Employment Services can communicate better
The European PES Network has published a new “practice casebook” for good communication by Public Employment Services (PES). It provides all the latest ideas and experiences on how PES across Europe can communicate effectively with their clients and ensure positive visibility for ...
Long working hours increasing deaths from heart disease and stroke: WHO, ILO
Long working hours led to 745 000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29 per cent increase since 2000, according to the latest estimates by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization published in Environment International today.
BALKATHON 2.0 IS ON: Apply till 19 May and you can win mentoring and one of six awards from the 54.000 EUR award fund
For the second time the RCC is organising an online competition for best digital solutions – Balkathon 2.0
COVID-19 and the World of Decent Work
Article on the occasion of 1 May, Labour Day by Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
Social partners fully engage in the new EU Strategic Framework on Occupational safety and health
The dedicated consultation on 21 April showed that social partners are key actors in ensuring health and safety at work, which has become more important during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EU: Labour market in 2020
In 2020, the labour market in the EU was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The employment rate for persons aged 20-64 dropped to 72.4%, down by 0.7 percentage points (pp) in comparison to 2019. The employment rate for men of that age group stood at 78.1%, down from 79.0% in 2019. ...
Greater engagement of social partners in tackling undeclared work in the Western Balkans is much needed, authorities and social partners agree
Webinar “Improving Social Partner Involvement in Tackling Undeclared Work” in the Western Balkans held today under RCC-implemented, EU-funded ESAP 2 project
Temporary lay-offs from work record high in 2020
The beginning of 2020 was marked by an outbreak of the worldwide pandemic COVID-19, leading almost all governments around the globe to take restrictive measures. To prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure distancing of people, many businesses were temporarily shut down and many employees ...
Balance between prevention and deterrence one of key elements for successful, structured approach to formalizing undeclared work
Third Plenary meeting of the Western Balkan Network Tackling Undeclared Work held online today under the RCC-implemented and EU-funded ESAP 2 project
Bregu: Men outnumber women in the region’s labour force by more than a million
RCC and UNDP launched Regional Network of Women in STEM
Western Balkans endorses Tirana Declaration to Support Tourism in the Region
RCC is refocusing sustainable tourism agenda as an integrated part of Common Regional Market
Euro area unemployment at 8.3%, EU at 7.5% in February 2021, Eurostat publishes
In February 2021, the euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 8.3%, stable compared with January 2021 and up from 7.3% in February 2020. The EU unemployment rate was 7.5% in February 2021, also stable compared with January 2021 and up from 6.5% in February 2020. These figures are ...
How women are being left behind in the quest for decent work for all
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals set out a shared vision to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. Will the pandemic reverse progress in advancing decent work for all as prescribed under Goal 8? It seems likely, at ...
Commission proposes action to uphold child rights and support children in need
The Commission has today adopted the first comprehensive EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, as well as a proposal for a Council Recommendation establishing a European Child Guarantee, to promote equal opportunities for children at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
RCC’s “WE’’ Campaign Continues: Only once you are authentic, can you truly bring your best into the business!
Marking the 8th of March, International Women’s Day, with ZOJA KUKIC, a remarkable young woman from Serbia
The European Pillar of Social Rights: turning principles into actions
Today the Commission sets out its ambition for a strong Social Europe that focuses on jobs and skills for the future and paves the way for a fair, inclusive and resilient socio-economic recovery.
Union of Equality: European Commission presents Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
Today, the European Commission presents an ambitious Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 to ensure their full participation in society, on an equal basis with others in the EU and beyond, in line with the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Charter ...
Futorismo awards 7 best ideas from the region to help Western Balkans tourism sector to mitigate COVID-19 effects
Bregu: Futourismo is a new hope to help our region recover its tourism
Bregu: Roaming free Western Balkans as of 1 July 2021 brings the region one step closer to the WB-EU roaming charges reduction
As of 1 July 2021 Western Balkans will be roaming free
Op-Ed: Women’s empowerment is essential to Western Balkans’ efforts to build back better from the pandemic
By Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Mirjana Spoljaric, Regional Director for UNDP’s Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States
RCC launches FUTOURISMO, regional competition to boost tourism in the Western Balkans
Ride the Digital Waves - 6 most successful ideas to get 15,000 EUR each
Recovering from COVID-19: How and With Whom?
OBSERVING the Western Balkans through Employment Observatory Article by Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
