dw.com
Foreign Companies Face Worker Shortages, Other Hurdles in North Macedonia
A survey of foreign companies in North Macedonia reveals a 51% shortage of skilled workers as the top challenge, followed by increased operational costs (49%), bureaucracy, legal uncertainty, and judicial issues, all impacting investment and employment; the departure of some companies raises concerns about job losses.
- What are the most pressing challenges faced by foreign companies operating in North Macedonia, and what are the immediate consequences?
- Foreign companies in North Macedonia face significant challenges, including a 51% reported shortage of skilled workers and increased operational costs affecting 49% of surveyed firms. A survey of major foreign investors revealed widespread dissatisfaction with bureaucracy, inconsistent government actions, and legal uncertainty.
- How do the reported issues of bureaucracy, legal uncertainty, and inconsistent government actions affect foreign investment and employment in North Macedonia?
- These issues are long-standing, hindering growth and impacting employment. While some companies experienced increased orders (38%), 62% saw a decrease, exacerbating workforce shortages. The lack of skilled labor is partly due to emigration of young people seeking opportunities abroad.
- What long-term implications might the current difficulties have for the North Macedonian economy, and what measures could be implemented to improve the situation?
- The situation may worsen if current trends persist. The departure of companies like Aptiv and potential downsizing by Johnson Matthey highlight the risks. Government efforts to attract new investment might be offset by ongoing challenges in infrastructure, skilled labor, and regulatory stability.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around the difficulties experienced by foreign companies, emphasizing the negative aspects and potential job losses. The headline (if any) would likely reflect this emphasis, potentially alarming readers about the state of foreign investment in North Macedonia. The inclusion of quotes from the Council for Foreign Investors further reinforces this negative framing.
Language Bias
While the article uses mostly neutral language, the repeated emphasis on negative aspects such as "problems," "challenges," and "difficulties" contributes to an overall negative tone. The use of phrases like "legal insecurity" and "inadequate conduct of institutions" are loaded terms that could be replaced with more neutral phrasing, such as "regulatory uncertainty" and "inconsistencies in institutional procedures.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the challenges faced by foreign companies in North Macedonia, but omits discussion of potential contributing factors from the Macedonian government's policies or broader economic conditions. There is no mention of efforts to improve the situation or alternative perspectives from the government on the issues raised. This omission limits a complete understanding of the situation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified view of the situation, focusing primarily on the negative aspects faced by foreign companies without fully exploring the potential for positive change or the existence of successful foreign investments in the country. While acknowledging some improvement in infrastructure satisfaction, it doesn't delve into specific successful examples that might counterbalance the negative narratives.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant shortage of skilled labor in North Macedonia, hindering the growth of foreign companies. Many companies reported reduced work volume and difficulties in finding suitable employees. This directly impacts economic growth and decent work opportunities. The exodus of young people seeking work abroad exacerbates the problem, limiting the available workforce and potentially impacting future economic growth.