MGB statistics according to Census 2002

Salary

As of September 2013, the average monthly net salary was MKD 21,060 (c. EUR 342). The minimum salary in Republic of Macedonia on annual level is determined by the Ministry of Finance upon prior opinion obtained from the established. Economic and Social Council in which the representative labour unions and employers associations participate. The minimal net salary in 2013 is MKD 8,050.

Salaries are computed and paid at least once monthly. Social security contributions and personal taxes are withheld by the employer along with the payment of salaries to employees.

Social insurance and pensions

Calculation and payment of all the employees’ social security contributions is regulated by the Law on Contributions for Mandatory Social Insurance effective since January 2009. This law introduced the unified system of gross salaries.

Employers are obliged to calculate, withhold from employees’ gross salary and pay into the accounts of respective funds the compulsory social security contributions. The current level of the compulsory social security contributions is as follows:
•    18% - pension and disability insurance
•    7.3% - health insurance
•    1.2% - unemployment insurance   
•    0.5% - additional health insurance.

The Public Revenue Office (PRO) is the authorized body to control the calculation and the payment of the compulsory social security contributions.

Source: http://www.piom.com.mk/
 
Employment relationship act

The employment relation is regulated by an individual employment contract pursuant to the Labour Relations Law. The employment contract, which must be in writing, and kept at the employer’s premises should govern the following:

• information concerning the contracting parties (employer & employee);
• the commencement date;
• the duties of the employee and the place of work;
• the term of employment (part-time or full-time);
• working hours;
• vacations and other leave;
• the compensation and pay period;
• list of the general acts determining the working conditions.

Education

The Macedonian educational system makes mandatory elementary and high school education as well as English language education starting in the first grade of elementary school. In addition to standard high schools, many vocational high schools in each city enable students to learn various trades. There are five public and numerous private internationally recognized universities and colleges. Both, vocational schools and universities offer tailor-made training programs in an effort to meet the specific needs of companies investing in Macedonia. In the past several years, Macedonia on average spends 6% of its GDP on education, a percentage higher than the corresponding one in most of the OECD countries.

Macedonia has a great academic potential, including one public university, “Ss. Cyril and Methodius“, with more than 50.000 students, every year, enrolled in 49 faculties, and four private universities with 10.000 students. Several of these faculties are placed on the territory of Gazi Baba: faculty of natural sciences and mathematics, Faculty for agricultural sciences and food, Faculty of forestry, and the private universities FON and Goce Delcev.

Every year approximately 80% of high school graduates are enrolled in universities, and there was a 35% increase in the total number of undergraduate degrees in the past several years. With 45% of the population under 30 years of age, Macedonia offers a young, educated, and skilled workforce.

Work permits and visas

In relation to employment, foreign nationals and Macedonian citizens have equal rights in the workplace. While working in Macedonia, foreign employees are guaranteed the same labor rights as Macedonian citizens. Foreign residents can easily establish employment in the Republic of Macedonia, after getting an appropriate visa or permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, i.e. Diplomatic-consular offices abroad.

Three types of work permits are available: personal work permit, employment work permit and work permit for exercising work without employment in the country. The choice of any particular work permit is dependent upon the nature and duration of the work to be undertaken in Macedonia. The permit is issued by the Employment Agency of Macedonia and the procedure is conducted through the Macedonian Embassy in the resident/domicile country of the foreign applicant. Although under the latest regulatory changes the procedure for issuance of work permits could be conducted through the Macedonian Employment Agency as well, such option is still not available in practice until relevant by-laws which would further regulate that procedure are adopted.

The Law on Employment and Work of Foreigners regulates the employment of foreign individuals in Macedonia.
Source: http://www.investinmacedonia.com/