Levica: VMRO‑DPMNE rejected stronger legal protection for pregnant workers
After a Commission ruling found pregnancy-based discrimination, Levica says VMRO‑DPMNE MPs voted down proposed changes to the Labour Relations Law.
Skopje — At a press conference on August 7, 2026 (10:40), Levica councillor Maja Durgutova warned that a recent finding by the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination shows pregnant workers in North Macedonia still lack effective institutional protection.
Durgutova said the Commission concluded there had been discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender and pregnancy after the employer, just two days after learning an employee was pregnant, began issuing disciplinary warnings, applying pressure and attempting to negotiate a mutual termination of employment. As a result of that treatment, the worker went on sick leave due to deteriorating health.
Commission finding and consequences
The party highlighted that the Commission’s decision adds to a pattern of cases involving non-renewal of contracts for pregnant employees, demotions on return from maternity leave and other pregnancy- and motherhood-related discrimination.
Levica told reporters that earlier this year it proposed amendments to the Labour Relations Law that would have strengthened legal safeguards for pregnant workers and limited the abusive use of fixed-term contracts. According to the party, those amendments were rejected by MPs from VMRO‑DPMNE.
Durgutova criticised the government for siding with large employers when interests of labour collide with interests of capital, saying business chambers receive attention for requests for new concessions while calls for stronger worker protections are dismissed with the argument that the economy should not be "burdened".
"This is not an isolated case. In recent years the public has witnessed numerous cases of non-renewal of employment contracts for pregnant workers, demotions after return from maternity leave and other forms of discrimination related to pregnancy and motherhood. The Commission itself warned that the number of complaints on these grounds is increasing," Durgutova said.
Photo: press material from the event
