The start of construction activities for two highways Skopje-Stip and Kicevo-Ohrid are already generating results. One of the subcontractors issued an employment ad for over 650 people, said Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakievski on Thursday.

"I expect in the coming days the Chinese company and the other subcontractors to issue a call for an additional number of workers," stated Janakieski who was accompanied on his trip to Prilep by Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski.

Over 1,000 people should be hired this year to work on the motorways across the country, according to Janakieski.

"The Government insisted at least 51% of the workforce engaged for construction works on the motorways to be Macedonian citizens. It was later included in the contract," he noted calling on all citizens who meet the criteria to apply for the job.

"This is a good step toward reducing the unemployment rate in Macedonia, which was one of our major objectives," Minister Janakieski stressed.

On Thursday, the construction company "Granit" issued a call for the employment of 670 people, set to be hired to do construction work on Skopje-Stip and Kicevo-Ohrid highways.

The 47-kilometer highway Skopje-Stip is estimated at 206 million euros and the 57-kilometer Kicevo-Ohrid highway is an investment worth 374 million euros.