Labour disputes cost North Macedonia €64.4m in 2020–2025, audit finds
Audit shows payments of about €64.4 million in 2020–2025, a sharp rise in active cases and gaps in institutional handling of labor disputes.
The State Audit Office found that between 2020–2025 the state paid roughly €64.4 million as a result of labor-related court cases.
The audit notes that almost half of the total amount went to interest, litigation costs and enforcement expenses. At the same time, the number of active cases has risen sharply — from 9,361 in 2021 to 24,556 in 2025.
Key findings and shortfalls
The review concluded that there is no effective, systemic approach to managing labor disputes across public institutions. Most administrations lack systems to track and analyze why disputes arise and how they are resolved.
The audit also says alternative dispute resolution is used only to a limited extent, while the State Attorney's Office generally plays a reactive role rather than preventing or containing litigation.
As remedies, the State Audit Office recommends establishing a more efficient case-management system, improving the legal framework, and upgrading recordkeeping and analytical monitoring. The goal is to reduce the fiscal impact of labor disputes and better control risks to the Budget.
Photo: press material from the event
