http://businessculture.org - Find out about business culture in Macedonia. This guide is part of the Passport to Trade 2.0 project which examined European Business culture in 31 countries looking at business communication, business etiquette, business meeting etiquette, internship and student placements, cost of living, work-life-balance and social media guide.

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businessculture.org
Business Culture
in FYROM
http://businessculture.org/southerneurope/former-yugoslav-republic-ofmacedonia-fyrom/
Last updated: 30.09.2013
businessculture.org
Content
Germany
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This
publication reflects the view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Business
Culture
in
FYROM
.......................................................................................................
4
Xenophobia: being a foreigner in FYROM .........................................................................................5
International business in FYROM ........................................................................................................5
General education .................................................................................................................................5
Educational standards ...........................................................................................................................6
Other issues such as transport infrastructure ........................................................................................6
Cultural taboos ......................................................................................................................................8
Business
Communication
..........................................................................................................
9
Face-to-face communication .................................................................................................................9
Language matters ..................................................................................................................................9
Business relationship .............................................................................................................................9
Making contact....................................................................................................................................10
Personal titles.......................................................................................................................................10
Business
Etiquette
..................................................................................................................
11
Corporate social responsibility ............................................................................................................11
Punctuality ..........................................................................................................................................11
Gift giving ............................................................................................................................................11
Business dress code ..............................................................................................................................12
Bribery and corruption........................................................................................................................12
Business
Meeting
Etiquette
....................................................................................................
13
Importance of business meetings.........................................................................................................13
Business meeting planning ..................................................................................................................13
Negotiation process .............................................................................................................................13
Meeting protocol .................................................................................................................................14
How to run a business meeting ...........................................................................................................14
Follow up letter after meeting with client............................................................................................14
Business meals .....................................................................................................................................14
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Internship
and
placement
.......................................................................................................
16
Work experience .................................................................................................................................16
Internship and placement advice ........................................................................................................16
Social security and European health insurance ..................................................................................16
Safety ...................................................................................................................................................16
Do I need a visa? .................................................................................................................................17
Internship and placement salary .........................................................................................................17
Internship and placement accommodation ........................................................................................17
Cost
of
Living
...........................................................................................................................
18
Money and banking ............................................................................................................................19
Travelling costs....................................................................................................................................19
Work-­‐life
Balance
....................................................................................................................
20
National holidays.................................................................................................................................20
Working hours .....................................................................................................................................21
Work culture .......................................................................................................................................21
Health insurance .................................................................................................................................21
Social
Media
Guide
.................................................................................................................
23
Search and Social Media Marketing for International Business .........................................................23
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Business
Culture
in
FYROM
The following video gives you an overview of the general facts:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ByNcj6b3Fzo)
Located in South-eastern Europe, in the heart of the Balkan peninsula, the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is one of the smallest countries among its neighbours
covering an area of 25,714 km². The territory of FYROM is surrounded by mountains
punctuated by valleys and is landlocked between Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and
Kosovo. The river Vardar, the largest in the FYROM, bisects the country.
The population of the country is over 2 million with half commuting to the capital city,
Skopje, during the week. There are diverse ethnic groups: Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish,
Vlachs, Roma, Serbian etc. The largest among them are Macedonian (67 per cent) and
Albanian (22 per cent). The Macedonian language belongs to the South Slavic group of
languages. In written communication the Cyrillic alphabet, consisting of 31 letters, is used.
Approximately 65% of the inhabitants declare themselves to be Orthodox whilst 33% are
Muslims.
The climate is Mediterranean. Summer and autumn are hot and dry whilst winter is relatively
cold and wet.
FYROM is in the time zone of UTC+1. However, during the summertime (March to October)
the clock is changed to summer time UTC+2.
Located at the crossroads of various empires, FYROM’s history has been very
turbulent. Throughout history both the country’s name and its territory have been subject of
claims by neighbouring countries. Some of these disputes are still unresolved. However, on
the 8th of September 1991 FYROM declared its independency.
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The political system of the FYROM is a multi-party parliamentary democracy with a
government consisting of a coalition of parties and an independent judicial branch with a
constitutional court. The Government has executive authority and is headed by the Prime
Minister. The President represents the country and is elected by general election with a
mandate of five years. The legislative body, the parliament, is the most important institution
of state authority. Its members are elected every four years.
The FYROM has been a member of the United Nations since April 8th 1993 and of the World
Trade Organization since April 4th 2003. Further, the Republic of Macedonia is an aspiring
member country of NATO.
Xenophobia:
being
a
foreigner
in
FYROM
After the Macedonian ethnic group, which comprises 64,2% of the population, Albanian
citizens are the most numerous with 25.2% among the other minorities such as Turkish 3.9%,
Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8% and other 2.2% (2002 census). The FYROM ratified the Resolution
on implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on
17 September 1997. On the protection of national minorities and their rights and freedoms,
the Republic of Macedonia cooperates with the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, UNESCO etc.
The fact that two major Albanian parties are represented in the National Assembly (one in
government, one in opposition) confirms that minorities play an active role in political life.
There are also a number of parliamentarians elected from all national minorities, including the
Roma. Persons belonging to national minorities are widely represented in local authorities. In
August 2008, the Law on the Use of Languages was adopted, which gives clear legal status to
the Albanian language and regulates its use in parliament, government ministries, judicial and
administrative proceedings. Public television (MTV) and radio extensively broadcast
programmes in the languages of national minorities (Albanian, Turkish, Serbian, Romani,
Vlach and Bosnian). There are also numerous NGO’s, whose engagement is primarily
oriented towards improving the dialogue and cooperation among the ethnic groups.
When meeting foreigners, people from the FYROM are very kind and also very curious of
other cultures. They may ask questions that seem inappropriate, such as how much money
you earn, what your house is like, etc. A foreigner should not be offended by these questions
they are just curiosity about how other people live.
International
business
in
FYROM
The FYROM has a small and open economy. The traditional economy is agricultural, but the
country is now industrialized and highly integrated within international trade. The FYROM
does business with countries around the world, therefore it is essential to go over a few basic
rules of etiquette before arriving in the country for meetings and negotiations.
General
education
The educational system in the FYROM can be classified into three divisions – primary,
secondary and higher education.
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Primary level education takes eight years from age seven to fifteen. Students are awarded a
Diploma for Completed Elementary Education. Elementary and high school are mandatory.
Besides standard high school, there are many vocational high schools in each city such as:
technical, medical, chemistry, economy, law, gymnasium etc. and some form of high school
is obligatory and lasts four years. On completing high school, students are awarded a
Secondary School Leaving Diploma.
In 2008, 85% of high school graduates were enrolled in universities. An undergraduate degree
would normally be obtained in four to six years. The duration of the studies depends on the
type of faculty. For example: Faculty of Economics is four years, Faculty of Law three years,
Technological/Metallurgical Faculty five years, Faculty of Medicine six years etc.
After finishing the first academic level students can go on to complete Masters and Doctoral
degrees.
At the state-owned universities there are two levels of fees. Students who have a good grade
point average pay 200€ per year, and the fee for those who do not satisfy the requirements for
the so called state-fee need to pay more, usually 400€. However, depending on the student’s
status, participation fee is higher and can range from 400-600€ per year. This is the so the
called private fee.
The FYROM has a young and educated workforce. Approximately 45% of the population is
under 30 years old.
In 2009 the FYROM was recognized as an IT leader in the region for launching information
technologies into education supported by the company Intel. Intel awarded 15 Million Dollars
to the FYROM Government’s Project “Computer for every child”.
Educational
standards
Education is a fundamental human right and in the FYROM special attention is paid to all
aspects of it. The internationalisation of higher education encourage the mobility of students
and teaching staff which leads to acquiring international experience, is a high priority for the
FYROM.
Other
issues
such
as
transport
infrastructure
Before arriving in the FYROM it is essential to be familiar with the transportation system ant
the possibilities and conditions.
Railway Transportation
The railway infrastructure was built in 1873 and the total network today is around 925km
with 168 railway stations. There are three international routes:
•
•
Ljubljana-Athens railway connects Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, Skopje, Thessaloniki, and
Athens.
Skopje-Bar
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•
Budapest-Athens international line runs through Belgrade, Skopje and Thessaloniki.
Railway transport is provided by Macedonian Railways, which is publicly owned and the only
provider of railway services in the country. Tickets should be bought at the desk at the train
station.
Bus Transportation
Buses travel to every town in the FYROM. As with rail transportation, tickets can be bought
at the desk at the bus station. Buses are the only means of public transportation. From Skopje
buses travel to Belgrade, Prishtina, Sofia, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Ljubljana etc.
Air Transportation
FYROM has two international airports:
•
•
Aleksandar the Great in Skopje
St.Paul the Apostle in Ohrid
The FYROM is well connected to the rest of Europe, the Americas and Asian countries.
There are direct flights to Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Rome,
Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Belgrade, Zagreb, Split, Sarajevo, Tirana and Istanbul.
Turkish TAV has operated the FYROM airport since 2008 and has the right to do so until
2028.
The airports in Belgrade, Sofia, Tirana and Thessaloniki can also be used, as they are only a
few hours’ drive from the FYROM.
Road Infrastructure
Roads make up the main transport network. The overall road network of the country is
13,278km. However, the road conditions may differ significantly from those in many
European countries.
Many drivers ignore speed limits or traffic regulations. Driving is on the right hand side of the
road and drivers and passengers are required to wear seatbelts. Furthermore, car headlights
should be on at all times, no matter what time of the day it is. The speed limits are generally
declared on the highway/road signs. Most of the highways are in good condition, but many
secondary urban and rural roads are poorly lit and in need of repair. There are pay-tolls and
road side emergency services.
Taxis
There are a lot of taxi companies. Make sure to choose a registered one and always ask for a
receipt. The ones who don’t have a fiscal machine in their cars are driving ‘in black’ and will
ask for much more money than the drive actually costs. It is recommended to ask how much
the drive will cost before getting into the taxi.
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Cultural
taboos
Taboos in intercultural business communication are those practices and verbal expressions
that are considered to be unacceptable. They don’t differ much from those of the other
European countries; however there are some particular issues that need to be taken into
consideration.
It is rude not to accept gifts or food from others. If you are a guest in someone else’s house,
they will continue to give you food and drink, and ask you if you would like more. As they
pay so much attention to making the guest feel comfortable, it is considered impolite to refuse
this hospitality.
Laughing and speaking loudly is considered rude and completely unprofessional.
Making noises while eating, belching, hiccupping and picking your teeth or nose in public is
considered rude. Homosexuality is also considered a taboo so it is advisable to avoid talking
about this subject.
When in the FYROM, it is wise to be informed about issues such as the name conflict with
Greece and corruption.
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Business
Communication
In the current era of intensive globalisation, the marketplace is growing at a fast pace. This
means expanding business borders and sometimes customising business practices. The
subsections that follow give an overview of the FYROM’s business practice to give a
comprehensive picture of business communication in FYROM.
Regardless of the situation and place, communicating without creating barriers can only be an
advantage and bring benefits.
Face-­‐to-­‐face
communication
Macedonians are normally warm, polite and generally welcoming to foreigners. When talking
with someone, eye contact is important. The partner might consider it as rude and a lack of
respect, if you don’t keep eye contact. Macedonians are direct and would not hesitate to speak
up or argue if the topic is of importance to them. They speak fast and loudly using gestures
and non-verbal communication. A handshake is an appropriate greeting in professional
situations.
Language
matters
In the FYROM, Macedonian and Albanian are the most commonly spoken languages.
Minority languages include Turkish, Roma, Serbian and Vlach and are spoken less often.
Macedonian is a South Slavic language whose closest relatives are Bulgarian and Serbian.
There is a major east-west dialectal division and about twenty subdivisions. Macedonian
evolved in contact with non-Slavic languages such as Greek, Albanian, Aromanian, and
Turkish. Today, young FYROM speakers are more likely to understand English than other
national languages. Multilingualism is common in urban areas but less common in rural areas.
In the former Yugoslavia, the official language was Serbo-Croatian, a mixture of Serbian and
Croatian. Today, most people speak the neighbouring languages, Bulgarian, Serbian, as well
as Croatian. Languages taught in high schools and universities are mostly English, German
and French. English language education is mandatory starting in elementary school and in
almost every company the employees need to have a minimum of basic English.
Business
relationship
Having the best product and business don’t guarantee high market placements. Every day
practice shows that good business relationships and networks can highlight your business and
improve its success in the marketplace.
For this purpose the FYROM’s businessmen are organised into various communities, which
enables them to share their experience and widen and strengthen their networks.
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Making
contact
There are generally no rules for dealing with people you are meeting for the first time. If you
want to make a good impression it is important to be courteous, polite and a good listener.
Good discussion topics would be work, family, climate, where are you from, leisure activities
and regional culture. When meeting people for the first time, it is wise to avoid sensitive
political subjects.
For people from the FYROM, it is important to establish a personal relationship with a client
before doing business. This increases trust in the individual, which is seen as more important
than the company for which people work.
Personal
titles
Supervisors are addressed as Mr. or Ms. with their last name and also by their function.
Colleagues are addressed by their first name.
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Business
Etiquette
Business etiquette in FYROM dictates the values and beliefs of the importance a person gives
to something. The way values and beliefs are expressed forms the attitude that is then
revealed through words and behaviour. Usually unwritten, these values and beliefs govern the
expectations of social behaviour within a society, social class or group. Accepting attitudes
and values as essential elements of every culture with a huge influence on people’s behaviour
can contribute to improved intercultural understanding and reduced misunderstandings when
doing business with foreign partners.
Corporate
social
responsibility
Institutions, businesses and civil society organisations, with support from the European Union
are developing corporate social responsibility in Macedonia. The UN Global Compact was
activated in the FYROM in 2004. The FYROM’s network includes 43 companies, NGOs and
other members. The National Coordinative Body for Corporate Social Responsibility, which
was established with support from UNDP, developed the Agenda for Corporate Social
Responsibility that was adopted by the Government of the FYROM.
Companies promote responsible management and practice ethical and responsible behaviour
which contributes to developing and strengthening the global corporate social responsibility
of the country as a whole.
Punctuality
In the private sphere of life people from the FYROM have a relaxed perspective on time. 1520 minutes delay is to be expected and is not unusual. Buses and trains are rarely on time.
Scheduling appointments has become a necessity in the last couple of years. Time is more
valued in business situations, where punctuality is usually required. Although FYROMs work
very hard, they value a less stressful lifestyle that allows a work life balance – time for friends
and family, a visit to the pub or just a bit of a chat on the corner.
Gift
giving
In private situations gift giving is considered normal when visiting someone’s house. The size
and value of the gift is not important.
In business, small gifts such as a pen, book, wine or pralines would be given to express
gratitude for services. It depends a lot on the company’s business culture, the branch and the
number of employees, but business gifts are sometimes exchanged at Christmas, New Year
and other similar occasions. If this is also a practice in your company you should make sure to
reciprocate. It will often be appreciated if you invite the persons you want to thank out for a
meal, or buy them a drink after work.
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In business as well as in private situations, it is good to offer to pay. In general men pay for
women.
Business
dress
code
FYROMs pay much attention to their appearance. Therefore, the dress code in a business
environment should be carefully adhered to. It is very important to be dressed appropriately
and with style for every occasion. Men usually wear a shirt and pants and in certain situations
a suit is the most appropriate. In everyday business life women should be dressed in business
casual.
Bribery
and
corruption
Recognizing the issue of corruption, in November 12th 2002 the State Commission for the
Prevention of Corruption was constituted to provide the basis of the law for the Prevention of
Corruption. It is responsible for identifying conflict of interest issues, areas where problems
are most urgent and to offer measures and activities to overcome the problems and the risks.
The Action Plan for the period 2007-2011 was primarily based on the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Political system, the National Assembly and the political parties
The judicial system
Public administration and local self-government
Law enforcement institutions
Economic and financial system and the private sector
Civil society, media and trade unions
The European Commission has acknowledged the continuous progress of the country in the
fight against corruption.
According to Transparency International, in the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2012 the
FYROM is came 43rd out of 100 and ranked in 69th place out of 176 countries.
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Business
Meeting
Etiquette
Communication has always been the lifeblood of every company. People meet in order to
discuss ideas, share experiences, define strategies and develop new directions. According to
the results of a survey conducted by the Annenberg School of Communications at UCLA and
the University of Minnesota’s Training & Development Research Centre, 40%-50% of
executives spend their working hours in business meetings. This suggests that in the modern
workplace, where doing one’s job well is only possible through effective team coordination,
business meetings are becoming more important than ever.
Importance
of
business
meetings
Meetings in the FYROM are formal. Punctuality is appreciated, but not expected. FYROM
professionals are not extremely rigid about it. Arriving around the time when the appointment
is arranged is appropriate. Greetings go according to status – from higher to lower. If there are
women, they are always the first to be greeted. After a few minutes of small talk before
beginning, the person with the highest professional rank opens the meeting and usually ends
the conversation as well. During the meeting it is acceptable to ask questions, but also expect
to be asked many questions, as meetings are primarily held for the purpose of information
exchange.
Although decisions are made at the top of the company i.e. top down, a consensus with the
stakeholders will be reached before making a final decision.
It is expected that presentations are done competently and are factual and backed by statistics.
Successful ventures never happen fast, as Macedonians like to make sure that all topics have
been covered comprehensively first.
Business
meeting
planning
An email suggesting an appointment and a short description of what the meeting is going to
be about is the usual way of arranging a meeting. If you need to meet an executive you should
adjust your plan to the executive’s. A phone call to his or her secretary or directly to the
person themselves, if s/he doesn’t have executive status, is also a very common way of setting
up a meeting.
Negotiation
process
FYROM’s people can be tough negotiators. If you need an interpreter then hire your own for
meetings and negotiations. Avoid confrontational behaviour or high-pressure sales tactics. An
indirect negotiating style is preferred as being too direct is viewed as poor manners. Do not
change members of a negotiating team before a decision is reached or the relationshipbuilding process will have to begin anew.
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Meeting
protocol
When greeting people you don’t know very well or with whom you are not familiar, it is
normal to shake hands and greet them neutrally. If you enter a room where others are seated,
you should shake hands with each person. If you are greeting people you already know, it is
expected to show a certain amount of informality towards them. When you are leaving you
should also shake hands with everyone present.
For less formal situations, a light hug between men and one or two kisses, one on each cheek
between women is common. Traditionally and in some formal situations three kisses on
alternate cheeks and a handshake is appropriate.
In Muslim areas, touching between men and women should be kept to a minimum or may not
be allowed at all. Follow the local’s lead if you are in doubt how to act.
How
to
run
a
business
meeting
For meetings to be effective it is important to have a clear agenda. The agenda is usually sent
out in advance of the meeting to enable the attendees to read it and if required to prepare
themselves. The person responsible for running the meeting makes sure that the procedure
and housekeeping details are followed. The meeting starts after a couple of minutes of
conversation to get to know the other attendees. It is useful to bring printed material/handouts
besides a well-prepared presentation with facts, information, simple and understandable visual
aids. FYROM people are good listeners and won’t interrupt while someone else is talking, but
you should expect many questions afterwards.
Follow
up
letter
after
meeting
with
client
After the meeting, agreements or decisions are not made immediately, it may take a couple of
days until the agreements are finalised.
Business
meals
Fundamental for a successful business lunch or dinner is to make sure you are familiar with
the proper eating etiquette. When having a meal with a business partner, remain professional
and polite. Business meals, restaurant etiquette and traditional food and drink will be
addressed in this section.
Business dinners in the FYROM are considered more of a social occasion and a good way to
develop relationships. Meals are generally very rich and there will quite often be more food
on the table than can be eaten. Macedonians are extremely generous hosts. It is proper
etiquette to offer to pay. The host will most probably refuse the offer, but it is important to
make the gesture to give a good impression. The bill may be shared with the host, but a
foreigner would not be allowed to pay.
When in a restaurant shake hands with everyone present. Most restaurant rules are similar to
those in other European countries. You should wait to be shown to a seat and wait till your
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elders begin to eat. However, people aren’t going to judge you and tend to be fairly informal.
If you are invited for dinner or lunch, be sure to plan to be there for at least two hours, since
meals last a very long time due to socializing.
Every meal starts with meze, a combination of fresh salad, white cheese, different
combination of zucchinis, eggs, eggplant (aubergine), paprika, olives etc. It is usually served
with rakija, strong aperitif made from grapes, plums or pears. The main dish includes a
mixture of meat, potatoes, vegetable and spices.
FYROM’s traditional cuisine offers a variety of culinary delights. It has inherited many tastes
from Turkish cuisine, which prevailed during the Ottoman rule, and also from Greece and
Italy. Therefore, the FYROM’s cuisine is a combination of Balkan and Mediterranean. The
principal food on the menu is a mixture of meat and vegetables, tavcegravce (baked beans),
peppers stuffed with minced meat, mousaka (a mixture of meat, potatoes and/or aubergines),
barbecues, sarma (made of brine cabbage, fresh cabbage, vine leaves, sorrel), turlitava, pita
pastrmajlia etc. Some of the traditional Macedonian meals are not served in the restaurants,
for example gomleze, mekici, pogaca, pindzur, ajvar, tursija, but if your host invites you to
his house then some of these meals would definitely be served.
The FYROM is famous for its wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and mellow Merlot. If you
are visiting the FYROM make sure you try them. The minimum legal drinking and smoking
age is 18 and is strictly enforced. Smoking in restaurants and coffee bars is not allowed.
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Internship
and
placement
Work
experience
There are different kinds of placement opportunities for students. Most of them are trainee
programmes offered during the summer holidays and last from one to three months. In
comparison with a few years ago, the number of companies offering internships or trainee
programs has increased. During internships students can also do their Bachelor thesis. The
trainee programs are also intended for those students who have already graduated but who do
not have work experience.
Universities’ role as an interface between students and companies is very significant, because
placements are usually offered through the university.
As there are many foreign companies in the FYROM, due to the strong campaign to attract
foreign investors, knowledge of the English language is a vital application criterion. Taking
into consideration the fact that over 85% of high school graduates enrol in university, the
competition for a job is fierce. For this reason previous work experience, participation in
student exchange programs and engagements during the studies are a great advantage.
Internship
and
placement
advice
There are many practical issues related to international placements that need to be addressed
by the trainee or the host company and sufficient time should be set aside for all the
arrangements and necessary formalities. The training organisations, educational institutions
and home and host organisations are able to help with these formalities.
Social
security
and
European
health
insurance
Students should make sure they have valid health insurance and where necessary travel
insurance. Remember that the FYROM is a non-EU country so EU insurances do not apply.
Persons employed in the FYROM who get paid must make mandatory contributions of 0.5
per cent of their gross annual salary to the Health Insurance Fund of Macedonia.
If you are planning to visit areas with wild animals, particularly spelunking in caves with bats,
it is strongly advised to make sure that your rabies immunisations are up to date.
Safety
In general the FYROM is a safe country. However as in all countries, pick-pocketing, theft,
and other petty street crimes do occur, particularly in areas where tourists and foreigners
congregate. Do not leave valuables, including mobile phones and electronic items, in plain
view in unattended vehicles, especially in Skopje city centre, including the Main Square
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(“Ploshtad”), the City Centre Mall (“Trgovski Center”). In the Old Town areas pickpockets
remain a problem. Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims; one
method involves groups of children swarming around you and asking for money in order to
find and take your wallet.
Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase
using this method. The number of ATMs in the FYROM is increasing, making the withdrawal
of local currency much easier.
Do
I
need
a
visa?
In order to accomplish an internship in the FYROM you don’t need a work permit, but you do
need a residence permit. Furthermore, if you are a citizen of: European Union member
countries, Australia, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Botswana, Canada, Croatia,
Island, Israel, Japan, Malaysia (only for 30 days), Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia,
Switzerland, Turkey, United States; you do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
For all other countries, you will have to apply for a visa in the nearest FYROM embassy. For
more information, please visit the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Law on Work Relations:
•
•
•
•
•
The employment contract should be in written form, and for a defined or undefined period of
time.
The employer has to register the employee and pay social insurance fees.
The lowest legal working age permitted is 15.
Cancelling the employment contract in circumstances where the employer dismisses the
employee, requires that at least one month’s notice in advance must be given.
Paid vacations of up to seven working days due to personal or family reasons are possible.
Unpaid leave can’t exceed three months in any one year.
Foreign persons can be employed in the FYROM upon obtaining the appropriate visa or work
permit. This can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Diplomatic-consular
offices abroad and upon an employer’s request in the Employment Agency.
Internship
and
placement
salary
Placements might be paid, however most of the time they are unpaid.
Internship
and
placement
accommodation
Depending on the organisation, a student may need to find their own accommodation. If
working with a non-profit organisation e.g. in the field of humanitarian work a room and even
food may be provided.
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Cost
of
Living
The currency of the FYROM is the Macedonian denar (MKD). Macedonian denar (MKD)
notes come in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000, and there are coins of one,
two, five, ten and fifty denar. The costs of living are significantly lower than in many
European countries. However, when put into the context of the average monthly salary, the
costs of living for the FYROM’s people are pretty high.
Food
Daily menu
300 den (approx. 5€)
Meal in a fast food restaurant
194 den (approx. 3,2€)
1 l of whole fat milk
50 den (approx. 0,83€)
1 kg of tomatoes
43 den (approx. 0,72€)
500 gr of local cheese
136 den (approx. 2,27€)
0,5 l beer in the supermarket
40 den (approx. 0,70€)
1 bottle of red wine with good
quality
300 den (approx. 5€)
2 l of Coca Cola
73 den (approx. 1,22€)
bread
30 den (approx. 0,50€)
1,5 l water
25 den (approx. 0,42€)
Housing
Monthly rent for an 80m² furnished apartment (expensive area) approx. 27,250 den – 450€
The utilities for one month for two persons are approximately 7000 den – 117€
Clothes
•
•
•
A pair of jeans (known brand) approximately 3500 den – 58€
A pair of Adidas trainers 4600 den – 77€
A pair of average shoes 3000 den – 50€
Transport
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•
•
Monthly ticket for public transport approx. 1200 den – 20€
Taxi 1 km 30 den – 0,50€
Entertainment
•
•
•
•
•
•
Basic dinner for two approx. 700 den – 12€
One ticket to the cinema approx. 150 den – 2,5€
One ticket to the theatre approx. 250 den – 4,2€
iPhone4 35 990 den – 599€
One minute of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts) T-Mobile Macedonia 7,9 den – 0,132€
One pack of Marlboro cigarettes 120 den – 2€
Money
and
banking
Macedonian denar (MKD) notes come in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000,
and there are coins of one, two, five, ten and fifty denar. You can only convert the denar
inside the FYROM. Restaurants, hotels and some shops will accept payment in Euros
(usually) and US dollars (sometimes).
ATMs can be found in all of the major towns and tourist centres but not in isolated and
remote places. Travellers cheques are difficult to change so do not rely on them, except as a
form of emergency back-up money. Credit cards are widely accepted, but do not rely on this,
even at a hotel or restaurant. Visa and Master card are the most popular cards.
Economic policy and financial stability are the responsibility of the National Bank. The
banking system in the FYROM is highly fragmented and is based on Banking Law and the
National Bank Law. It is constituted from eighteen banks and eleven savings banks. 71.3% of
the banking capital belongs to foreign investors. Fourteen of them are owned by foreign
shareholders, of which four are owned by foreign banks (September 30th 2008).
The Ministry of Finance is the authorized institution for issuing and revoking licenses for
performing financial leasing. There are eight leasing companies that perform financial leasing
and around 90% of their capital is owned by foreign investors (December 31st 2008).
Payments are made in cash, with cash cards or credit cards. The national currency as
mentioned above is the denar (ден).
Major Banks are:
•
•
•
•
•
Stopanska Banka
Komercijalna Banka
NLB Tutunska Banka
Pro Credit Bank
Alpha Bank
Travelling
costs
Usually the student must pay and organise their travel to the FYROM and to the company
themselves.
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Work-­‐life
Balance
Although the Macedonian nation is still very traditional in some aspects of life (weddings,
baptising, celebrations, family life etc.), a more modern way of living can be detected in every
aspect of social life.
Official working time is from 8am until 4pm from Monday to Friday. Usually the weekend is
free, but many private companies also work on Saturday. Employees are entitled to annual
leave of between 20 and 26 working days per year with up to seven days paid leave for
marriage, death of close family members, professional examinations and other employer
requirements.
FYROM people spend a lot of their free time together with their friends in coffee bars and
restaurants. Families tend to be small and spend a lot of time together and help each other
with every-day activities. It is not unusual for children to live with their parents until marriage
and to be supported by them until then. There are also families where three generations live
together, but this is becoming increasingly less common in urban areas. Family members all
help one another with children and work.
Men are still considered to be the heads of the household and are expected only to work.
Women are expected to juggle a full time work schedule with doing the housework, taking
care of the children, making meals, etc.
National
holidays
Holidays
Date
New Year
January 1, 2
Christmas Day (Orthodox)
January 7
GoodFriday (Orthodox)
March / April
EasterSunday (Orthodox)
March / April
EasterMonday (Orthodox)
March / April
Labour Day
May 1
Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
May 24
Day oft he Republic – Ilinden
August 2
Independence Day
September 8
Revolution Day
October 11
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Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle
October 23
Saint Clement of Ohrid Day
December 8
Working
hours
Most of the restaurants and bars work every day of the week, even during holidays. The
shops are open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. There are extended working hours in tourist areas,
Ohrid and Struga, during the season.
Institutions and offices:
Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 16:30 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Banks:
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 am
Work
culture
The FYROM offers a highly qualified, educated and ethical workforce. The average gross
monthly salary is 430€. The country has a 40-hour working week with a 30 minute rest period
during daily working hours plus sick leave benefits. In accordance with EU standards, flexible
employment contracts and flexibility of working time are available in the FYROM.
With the aim of stimulating foreign and domestic investments, the FYROM has implemented
a very attractive flat rate tax of 10% on corporate income tax and personal income tax.
Health
insurance
Public healthcare in the FYROM covers unlimited visits for preventative care, examinations
and treatments. All citizens are entitled by law to equal access to health care. Employers take
responsibility for registering their employees in the Health Insurance Fund and both employer
and employee must contribute to the fund. Employees are required to contribute 0.5% of their
gross salary for insurance against work related illnesses or diseases. Most of the medical
services covered by the public healthcare system are free of charge.
Private healthcare is also available. Private hospitals and clinics are managed by independent
doctors and specialists.
FYROM citizens can register with any general practitioner of their choice. However, if you
are seeking private healthcare for yourself, you must make sure that the chosen doctor has a
contract with the Health Insurance Fund. In normal circumstances, patients need a referral
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from their doctor in order to visit a specialist or a hospital. In an emergency no referral is
required.
Hospitals and clinics are available in all major towns.
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Social
Media
Guide
Around one-third of FYROM citizens are active on social networks. In particular, the
Macedonian-speaking younger generation under 25s use internet and social networks. This
number is far less within, for example, the Albanian-speaking communities.
The table below shows that more than half of the ten most visited websites are social
networking sites.
In particular, during the 2011 elections, Facebook functioned as a significant hub for public
debate and political activism. It has attracted a significant majority of more than one million
internet users in the FYROM.
However, other social networks are also used such as video-sharing sites like You Tube.
However, social media in the FYROM is used primarily for personal communication, and
only secondarily as a tool for disseminating news.
The 10 most used social networks in FYROM are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Facebook
Google (including Google+)
YouTube
Twitter
LinkedIn
Erepublik
Flickr
Deviant Art
MySpace
Badoo
Further, there are currently several smaller native Macedonian social networks, with Top.mk
among the best known. This represents something between a teenagers’ social network and a
mechanism for dating services.
Search
and
Social
Media
Marketing
for
International
Business
Learn how to use social media for business from one of Salford Business School’s latest
business management courses. The course was jointly researched by the Passport to Trade 2.0
project team and prepared in collaboration with some of the leading digital marketing
agencies in the UK.
This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) can help businesses and individuals to make the
best use of search and social media platforms.
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The course is called Search and Social Media Marketing for International Business and is
applicable to students looking for placements abroad as well as businesses thinking about
new trade links; it comprises the following twelve topics:
How to develop a personal brand online (1/12)
•
•
Whether you are a student beginning a job search
or a business person planning a new business
venture, personal branding can make a difference.
Learn about personal branding and why it is
important for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=l9LYw0mgtn4&feature=player
_embedded
How to use Twitter (2/12)
•
•
Learn the basics of using Twitter to develop an
individual or business profile.
Remember to use hash tag #SSMMUoS to share
your learning journey on this course so far!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9CVY3pp91Dc&feature=playe
r_embedded
How to use Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) (3/12)
•
•
Learn the principles of SEO to ensure that your
website and any social media profiles are found by
individuals searching for your name, products and
services.
These basic principles of SEO include keyword
research, on-page optimisation and off-page
optimisation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zw27cRcwtM0&feature=player
_embedded
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How to use social media for international business development (4/12)
•
•
Social media networks break down the traditional
country barriers, but do you know which networks
are relevant for the country you are interested in
trading with?
Find out in this video how to identify the relevant
networks and what social media strategies you might
be able to use on these networks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Bx-B56AHS4c&feature=
player_embedded
How to use Facebook (5/12)
•
•
Facebook is currently the largest social media
network in the world and it can benefit you as a
business as well as an individual.
Learn how to develop a Facebook business page and
see how other businesses use it and what strategies
work for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=UmRGn-vdcO8&feature=
player_embedded
How to use YouTube (6/12)
•
•
YouTube was identified as the second largest
social network amongst younger internet users as
part of the Passport to Trade 2.0 project.
Learn how to optimise your video content in order
to reach wider audiences for your profile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_embedded&v=G2
0OVpmTBss
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How to use LinkedIn (7/12)
•
•
LinkedIn is one of the three main professional
social networks – the others being Xing and
Viadeo which are also popular in several
European countries.
Learn how to make the most of LinkedIn for your
profile.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=N6e_EAUQqic&feature=playe
r_embedded
How to use Google+ (8/12)
•
•
•
Google+ is the second largest social network as of
January 2013.
It is one of the fastest growing social networks and
one that has the biggest impact when it comes to
search engine results integration for anyone who
uses Google as their main search engine.
Learn how to make the most of Google+ for you
and your digital profiles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_embedded&v=8ti
3SPHkEWw
How to use copywriting online (9/12)
•
•
Copywriting is a process of translating technical
specifications and product descriptions into
engaging and understandable customer focused
text.
Learn about the basic techniques in structuring
your online content here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=5f1hx_f2ONI&feature=player_
embedded
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How to stay legal on social media (10/12)
•
•
Everything and anything you do and say online
can be potentially viewed by anyone who has
internet access.
Always respect the law and familiarise yourself
with new options offered to you through a creative
commons licence which is popular online.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=eQxDpiHsdk&feature=player_embedde
d
How to use monitoring and reporting (11/12)
•
•
Whether you are an individual or a business
spending time on social media – there has to be a
return on your engagement online.
How do you justify your engagement on social
media to your boss? Listen to the industry experts
in this area and see what you might be able to
measure in respect of your on-line engagements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LbEq7jsG0jg&feature=player_
embedded
How to blog (12/12)
•
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=OqVjR7oI8Rs&feature=player
_embedded
businessculture.org
•
Blogging is a process of writing text and sharing
content with others. It can help your customers or
friends to keep in-touch regardless of social media
platforms.
Think about the voice you might want to adopt
and who your audience might be. Share your
thoughts with us by writing a blog post about this
MOOC.
Tweet us the link to your post on the
#SSMMUoS Twitter hash tag.
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Passport
to
Trade
2.0
Project
Partnership
Five Universities:
Lead partner: Salford Business School,
University of Salford, United Kingdom
Elena Vasilieva
Aleksej Heinze
Alex Fenton
URENIO research unit at Aristole University
of Thessaloniki, Greece
Christina Kakderi
Nitsa Papadopouloui
TSE Entre Research Centre
Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland
Satu Aaltonen
Elisa Akola
Institute for Information System Research
University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany
Verena Hausmann
Susan P. Williams
Petra Schubert
Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania
Adriana Grigorescu
Leonardo Badea
Three Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Spin, Italy
Carmine Antonio Donato
Dorella De Tommaso
Technology Development & Innovation – TDI LTD
Bulgaria
Milanka Slavova
Ivan Stoychev
TIS Praha, Czech Republic
Anna Klosova
Richard Adekeye
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