Country profile MKD
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5-17 | 3.4 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 1.6 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 2.4 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 3.7 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 2.1 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 2.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2012 | C138 & C182 | Rulebook on the Minimum Occupational Safety and Health Requirements for Young Workers | [{"link_name":"Rulebook on the Minimum Occupational Safety and Health Requirements for Young Workers","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/103485/pdf.pdf"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | North Macedonia has established a list of hazardous occupations and activities prohibited for children under 18 through the Rulebook on the Minimum Occupational Safety and Health Requirements for Young Workers. This Rulebook outlines specific sectors, tasks, and conditions considered dangerous for young workers, including exposure to harmful substances, operating dangerous machinery, and working in extreme temperatures or confined spaces. It was adopted in line with the Labour Relations Act and developed in consultation with employers’ and workers’ organisations. The list is subject to periodic review by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2005 | C138 & C182 | Labour Law of North Macedonia - Articles 63, 66, 67, and 265 | [{"link_name":"Labour Law of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/71332/MKD71332%20Eng.pdf"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The Labour Relations Act of North Macedonia prohibits the employment of minors in hazardous work and sets the minimum age at 18. Articles 63, 66, 67, and 265 outline protections for young workers, including restrictions on working conditions and hours. There is no legal provision allowing hazardous work from age 16 under exceptions, meaning the national standard is set strictly at 18 years, fully complying with C138 and C182 without derogation. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2009 | C182 | Criminal Code of North Macedonia - Article 201(4) ; Law on Child Protection - Article 12(3) | [{"link_name":"-Criminal Code of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/67/fYROM_CC_2009_am2018_en.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Child Protection","source_link":"https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2019/mk/122680"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 201(4) of the Criminal Code of North Macedonia explicitly establishes stricter penalties for involving minors in the production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Additionally, Article 12(3) of the Law on Child Protection prohibits the use of children for illicit activities, reinforcing the child’s right to protection from all forms of exploitation. Together, these provisions align with C182 by prohibiting the use, procuring, or offering of children for illicit activities, particularly drug-related offences. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2009 | C182 | Criminal Code of North Macedonia - Article 191, Article 193-a | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/67/fYROM_CC_2009_am2018_en.pdf"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article 191 of the Criminal Code prohibits child prostitution by criminalising the recruitment, encouragement, mediation or exploitation of a child for prostitution. Article 193-a criminalises the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography, including involving children in pornographic materials and performances. Both provisions are in line with C182, establishing strong protection mechanisms against commercial sexual exploitation of children under 18. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2002 ; 2019 | C182 | Law on Defence ; Law on Child Protection | [{"link_name":"-Law on Defence","source_link":"https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1342871/1504_1217228533_law-on-defense.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law on Child Protection","source_link":"https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2019/mk/122680"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | The Law on Defence of North Macedonia establishes 18 as the minimum age for compulsory military service. There is no provision for conscription below this age, and no evidence of forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18. Additionally, the Law on Child Protection reinforces protection from involvement in armed conflict. North Macedonia has also ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, further affirming the prohibition. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2004 | C182 | Criminal Code of North Macedonia - Articles 418(c) and 418(d) | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/67/fYROM_CC_2009_am2018_en.pdf"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Articles 418(c) and 418(d) of the Criminal Code explicitly prohibit human trafficking and trafficking in children. Article 418(d) criminalises child trafficking for purposes such as sexual and labour exploitation, forced marriage, and forced begging, with penalties ranging from a minimum of four to ten years of imprisonment. However, according to the 2023 GRETA report, while 12 child trafficking cases were dealt with between 2017 and 2022 by the Basic Criminal Court Skopje 1, sentences in most cases were below the statutory minimum. The Committee has requested further clarification on this discrepancy and urges continued efforts to combat child trafficking. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2005 | C138 | Labour Law of North Macedonia - Article 250 | [{"link_name":"Labour Law of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/71332/MKD71332%20Eng.pdf"}] | 14 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article 250 of the Labour Relations Law permits secondary school students aged at least 14 to undertake practical training as part of their educational program with an employer. This practical training is considered an apprenticeship or light work permitted under C138, provided it is part of a school-approved curriculum and conducted under conditions prescribed by competent authorities, ensuring protection of the child’s health, development, and education. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2008 | C138 | Law on Primary Education - Articles 4, 5, 47, and 172 ; Law on Secondary Education - Article 3 | [{"link_name":"Law on Primary Education","source_link":"https://www.sonk.org.mk/documents/Zakon%20za%20osnovno%20obrazovanie.pdf"},{"link_name":"Law on Secondary Education","source_link":"https://vasilantevskidren.edu.mk/web/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/%D0%97%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%81%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5.pdf"}] | No | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | Articles 4, 5, 47, and 172 of the Law on Primary Education and Article 3 of the Law on Secondary Education establish compulsory schooling until age 16. This means children may legally leave school at 16, but the minimum employment age of 15 allows work before compulsory education is completed, which does not fully comply with C138’s requirement. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"N/A","source_link":"N/A"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | North Macedonia’s Labour Relations Law currently allows light work under limited conditions but does not explicitly define the types of permissible activities or detailed conditions. The ILO Committee has urged the Government to adopt amendments that clearly specify these elements, including permitted activities and working hours for children engaged in light work. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2005 | C138 | Labour Law of North Macedonia - Section 18(2) | [{"link_name":"Labour Law of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/71332/MKD71332%20Eng.pdf"}] | N/A | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | North Macedonia has not set a minimum age for light work. However, it is worth noting that, pursuant to Section 18(2) of the Labour Relations Law, children under 15 who have not completed compulsory schooling may work a maximum of four hours daily in activities determined by law. The ILO Committee on the Minimum Age Convention 138 noted the Government’s intention to amend the law to set the minimum age for light work at 13 years and to specify allowable activities for children aged 13 to 15. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2005 | C138 | Labour Law of North Macedonia - Article 18 | [{"link_name":"Labour Law of North Macedonia","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/71332/MKD71332%20Eng.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article 18 prohibits employment of children under 15 or those who have not completed compulsory schooling, except for authorised light work activities limited to four hours daily with parental consent and labour inspection approval. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 30-MAY-2002 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 17-NOV-1991 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A child rights–based strategy to prevent all forms of abuse and neglect of children through early intervention, public education, strengthened child protection services, and improved inter-agency coordination. It includes components related to child labour, trafficking, and exploitation risks. | [{"link_name":"National Strategy for the Prevention and Countering of Abuse and Neglect of Children","source_link":"https://www.unicef.org/northmacedonia/media/16561/file/SITAN_2024_ENG.pdf"}] | 2020-2025 | National Strategy for the Prevention and Countering of Abuse and Neglect of Children | Ministry of Labour and Social Policy |
| This specific action plan addresses the trafficking of children, reinforcing the child protection framework with targeted prevention, early identification, specialised services for child victims, and training for professionals in health, education, social work, and law enforcement sectors. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan for Combating Child Trafficking","source_link":"https://rm.coe.int/greta-evaluation-report-on-north-macedonia-third-evaluation-round/1680aaa573"}] | 2021–2025 | National Action Plan for Combating Child Trafficking | Ministry of Labour and Social Policy |
| A comprehensive national strategy and action plan aimed at preventing and combating trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling. The strategy includes legislative, institutional, and protective measures with a strong focus on child trafficking. It outlines roles for national and local authorities, civil society, and international partners in preventing trafficking, prosecuting offenders, and protecting victims, particularly vulnerable children. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan for the Prevention and Countering of Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration","source_link":"https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/mk-index"}] | 2021–2025 | National Action Plan for the Prevention and Countering of Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration | National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration |