On the 1st of March, the labour markets of Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania are set to undergo a transformational change with the advent of a completely liberalised labour market. This development is a direct result of two pivotal protocols signed in Skopje, announced officially.
These protocols are aimed at enabling unobstructed access to the labour markets throughout the Western Balkans and at integrating electronic identification systems for the citizens of these countries.
The activation of these protocols heralds the start of an open labour market across the Open Balkan countries, a move expected to substantially improve the business climate. This initiative will be beneficial for both local and international businesses, tackling the persistent issue of labour shortages and establishing a unified labour market for an estimated 11 million people.
The agreements are also seen as a tactical move to meet the economic needs of the region. They are anticipated to bring several benefits, including the ease of employment for citizens of these nations, who can now work in any of the three countries under the same conditions as their native counterparts. For companies, this move means easier access to a larger pool of talent across these nations, eliminating the hurdles of red tape and institutional constraints.