On 21 October 2026, the Organization of Employers of Macedonia (ORM) participated in the Fifth Annual Regional Meeting on Combating Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons, held on 20 and 21 October in Budva, Montenegro. ORM was represented by Vesna Velichkovska from the company Liberty.
The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) North Macedonia within the framework of the Regional Migration Governance Programme (RMGP), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The meeting was held in cooperation with the EU4FAST project, supported by the European Union, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
The meeting brought together representatives from the six Western Balkan countries, including representatives of relevant institutions, law enforcement authorities, prosecutors’ offices, migration and border services, labour inspectorates, employers’ organizations, employment agencies and civil society. The event provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation.
The discussions focused on current migration trends, labour exploitation and human trafficking. Participants also addressed the need for stronger cooperation between institutions and countries across the region. Particular attention was given to labour migration management, labour mobility partnerships and ethical recruitment. Institutional oversight, information provision, integration and the protection of foreign workers were also discussed.
The relevance of these issues is confirmed by IOM data. According to the organization, the number of work permits issued in the Western Balkans increased from 13,145 in 2015 to 107,006 in 2025. Growing labour mobility is driven by demographic changes and rising demand for workers. While it creates new opportunities for economic development, it also requires more effective mechanisms to prevent abuse and labour exploitation.
The thematic discussions explored practical ways to improve labour migration systems, including greater transparency and predictability of procedures, as well as their digitalization and simplification. Participants also discussed strengthening cooperation with countries of origin and improving oversight of recruitment agencies. Particular emphasis was placed on more effective information exchange and the protection of workers from exploitation.
Through her participation, Vesna Velichkovska of Liberty, representing ORM, contributed to the exchange of regional experiences and discussions on challenges related to labour migration. ORM’s participation reaffirms the organization’s commitment to actively involving employers in the development of sustainable labour migration policies. These policies should address the needs of businesses while enabling simpler and more efficient procedures for employing foreign workers. At the same time, transparent and responsible recruitment and employment practices must be ensured, with full respect for workers’ rights.
Participation in the regional meeting forms part of ORM’s broader efforts to strengthen social dialogue and build partnerships with national and international institutions. Through these activities, ORM contributes to the development of a competitive, responsible and sustainable labour market.
