Regional cooperation and the implementation of effective policies can create a labor market that will benefit both employers and workers, thereby strengthening the economic prospects of the region, announced the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Naida Nišić.
She met with the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Amer Kapetanović, today at the RCC headquarters in Sarajevo.
The meeting, as announced by the RCC, was dedicated to regional cooperation in the field of employment and labor mobility, with special emphasis on the upcoming Ministerial Conference on Labor Migration in the Western Balkans, which will be held in May in Budva.
This high-level conference aims to strengthen a shared understanding of the economic potential of labor mobility. It will bring together ministers, government representatives, private sector leaders and development bank representatives to discuss labor migration as a driver of economic growth.
The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Montenegro and the RCC, will be realized with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the RCC's Platform for Employment and Social Affairs, and the EU Delegation to Montenegro.
Kapetanović said that labor mobility is not only an economic necessity, but also a strategic opportunity for the Western Balkans.
"By creating inclusive policies and frameworks that support labor mobility, we can address the shortage of skilled workers, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen regional economic resilience," said Kapetanović.
Migration is a megatrend shaping the global economy. Migrants currently make up 3,4 percent of the world's population, but contribute ten percent to global gross domestic product (GDP).
In recent years, the economies of the Western Balkans have shown increasing resilience, despite previous challenges such as slow economic growth, trade deficits and high unemployment. Employment rates reached historic highs in 2022 and continued to rise in 2023, while unemployment across the region is declining. However, skills shortages and labor shortages remain key challenges across sectors, including low-, medium- and high-skilled ones.
Nišić said that the upcoming Ministerial Conference in Budva will be a turning point in advancing the discussion on labor mobility and ensuring sustainable economic development for the Western Balkans.
The Western Balkans have made significant steps towards improving labor mobility within regional frameworks, such as the Common Regional Market and the South East Europe Strategy 2030.
As the Western Balkans progress on their path towards the EU, accelerating economic reforms and addressing labor market challenges will be key to regional integration and sustainable development. Sectors such as energy, green transition, digital transformation, innovation, and infrastructure connectivity will require a strong and adaptable labor market.
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