Within the project “Tourism is people” a workshop for employers and workers was held on 21 April in Skopje under the title “Working together for better social dialog in TH sector”.
The main aim of this workshop was to increase the awareness of the representatives of employers and trade unions from TH sector, as well as the importance of social dialog as process which has an effect on increasing the employment and competitiveness of this sector in national economy. The important aspects of the workshop ware modernization of the labour market, qualification and skills, the quality of work, occupation safety and health.
Participants of the workshop were representatives from: the Ministry of economy, Agency for support and promotion of tourism, Faculty of tourism and business logistics, temporary employment agency, labour inspectorate, trade unions, clusters from tourism and many others.
BCM Executive president Mile Boskov stressed the importance of social dialogue in the TH sector, which is the fastest growing sector world wild. Anze Hirsl from Association of employers of Slovenia gave a brief overview of the meaning of the social dialogue in general, but also addressed the functioning of European social dialogue, its legislation, the main actors, what types of social dialogue exist at European level, at what level negotiations are carried out etc. In the second session he explains the role of his organization in the national social dialogue, as well as the sectorial dialogue in TH. Kerstin Howald from EFFAT presented by using Skype the European passport for skills and qualifications. With this instrument the employers can get qualified workers for their needs.
After the break, discussion was dedicated to the situation in TH sector at national level. The first speaker from the Agency for support and promotion of tourism explained that, unfortunately, there was no interest to improve social dialogue in the TH sector. The employment in the sector is seasonal, which is the reason why youth are not interested in working in this field. Besides, the faculties are not making enough effort to promote their programmes among students. More, majority of workers in this sector are mostly paid minimum wage. Ministry of economy has prepared a new strategy for tourism 2016-2020, which is still to be signed by the Parliament.
The representative of a travel agency stressed out the problem of rapidly changing legislation and the exclusion of travel agencies from its preparation.
Professor from the faculty of tourism and business logistics explained that social dialogue is not the priority concern of the country. It is neither clear enough nor is maintained as a key factor of development.
At the end, Executive president of BCM informed the participants that BCM intends to establish association of employers in the TH sector which main role would be social and economic dialogue and policy making in this field as well as creation of business club composed of economic chambers, clusters, universities, state agencies, politicians. The association is meant as a platform for a debate and to create policies based on the principles of economic and social council.
The event had a positive impact in terms of media: several TVs and several portals:
http://tocka.com.mk/1/193900/so-turisticki-pasosi-ke-se-zgolemuva-kvalitetot-vo-turizmot
http://plusinfo.mk/vest/67243/turisticki-pasosh-kje-garantira-kvalitet
http://24vesti.mk/voveduvanje-na-turistichki-pasosh-za-razvivanje-na-turistichkiot-biznis
http://mrt.com.mk/node/31740
http://kurir.mk/makedonija/vesti/so-turistichki-pasoshi-ke-se-zgolemuva-konkurentnosta-vo-turizmot/
http://kanal5.com.mk/vesti_detail.asp?ID=95572
With financial support by the European Union.