The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the World Bank will continue cooperation aimed at promoting social protection, increasing employment among vulnerable categories of citizens, especially women, and building human capital as a key element for social progress, Minister Jagoda Shahpaska and World Bank Country Manager Massimiliano Paolucci said during a meeting on Thursday.
Interlocutors, the Labor Ministry said in a press release, discussed opportunities for introducing more people on the labor market and promoting institutional capacities.
“The 2021 operational plan for active employment programs and measures includes three new principles for managing the negative effects and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market, promoting balanced regional development, as well as diversity and inclusivity. We’ve established a connection between social work centers and the employment agency with the aim of introducing welfare recipients on the labor market. Moreover, people with disabilities, the Roma and other vulnerable categories of citizens have been offered job skill trainings,” Shahpaska said.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the press release read, is currently implementing the project for improving social services with the assistance of an EUR 28.7 million loan that the government of North Macedonia received from the World Bank. 19 agreements have been signed with 24 municipalities under the first part of the project, which aims to strengthen the social protection system. Moreover, two kindergartens have been constructed and nine more are being built under the second project part, which aims to increase access to better early childhood development services.
“The project we’re working on focuses on human capital development and aims to improve workers’ skills and increase citizens’ participation on the labor market. Health, education and social protection are the three pillars for improving the standard of living and giving young people a future in their own country. I believe that excellent cooperation between the World Bank and the Labor Ministry will resume,” Paolucci stressed.
Interlocutors concluded at the meeting that projects supported by the World Bank result in long-term, systematic solutions.
