Involvement, activities and the role of trade unions in implementing Europe's work legislation into Macedonia's, the role of trade unions in establishing social dialogue  and approximating European standards were discussed at a conference "Trade Unions in the EU Integration Process of the Republic of Macedonia", organised on Friday by the Macedonian Association of Trade Unions and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

"The conference is vital for the association's agenda in preparing to create policies for implementing the European social model," its president Zivko Mitreski said.

He added that in Macedonia a breakthrough had been made in applying Europe's legislation in terms of informing, consulting about collective lay-offs, the position of women...

Addressing the conference, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski said that it confirmed the role and importance of Macedonian trade unions in the process of harmonising Macedonia's legislation on its road to EU membership.

"The role of trade unions is indisputable, being an essential factor in the society, first and foremost in protecting the rights of workers. In Macedonia, social dialogue is reality, even through we cannot at any cost have the same stances as a three-party social council at discussions" the minister noted.

The government, he added, will continue encouraging the social dialogue and being involved in it, because it is the only way for adopting better laws related to employers or employees.