For over 10 years, EZA has been facilitating capacity building for EU candidate countries in the Western Balkans as part of a special project. Our goal is to support these countries, and in particular trade unions and workers' organisations, on their path to European integration.
Secretary General Sigrid Schraml and Education Officer Ljuban Bulić visited EZA member UNASM in Montenegro and North Macedonia, as well as other trade unions including USSCG, SFOM and KSS, for detailed discussions and company visits.
In addition, an exchange took place with the national coordinators Nina Krgović and Emil Krstanovski from the ILO offices in Podgorica and Skopje. EZA has observer status at the ILO.
There is hopeful progress in Montenegro and North Macedonia, but much remains to be done. In particular, social dialogue is still not at a satisfactory level in many areas. Further intensive support from the EU is essential and politically necessary!