The employing of citizens of these two countries in Serbia could ease the labour shortage problem, but fundamentally resolving it requires education system reform
It is principally expected that Serbia will be an interesting destination for employment for job-seeking citizens of North Macedonia and Albania. We also expect greater labour mobility within the Open Balkan region that will contribute to the economic development of all signatory countries. The fact that the Open Balkan initiative envisages free labour market access leads to the expectation that employers from all three countries will be able to find the high-quality personnel that they lack easier and faster.
If interest from citizens of these two countries exists, employing them in Serbia could ease the labour shortage problem, but fundamentally resolving this problem requires a systematic approach through reform of the education system in a way that’s aligned with the needs of the economy, i.e. approaching the issue with comprehensive analysis of the occupations that will be in demand in future and those that are no longer needed.
Considering that all three signatory countries have a need for an identical structure of workers, to a greater or lesser extent, the country offering the best working conditions will benefit the most
Considering that all three signatory countries have a need for an identical structure of workers, to a greater or lesser extent, the country offering the best working conditions will benefit the most. The fact that the market will be open, and will thus enable direct contact between employers and future employees, means that everyone will negotiate for their preferred conditions.
Open Balkan envisages employees from the signatory countries having the same rights as domestic employees and thus being subjected to the laws of the host country, both in terms of the protection of workers’ rights and other regulations.
Serbia has for years been confronted by the emigration of workers to EU countries, and citizens of the other two signatory countries are now expected to “fill” the labour market gaps that have emerged as a result of these departures.