Pekevski: A functioning system is needed for the return of people who left North Macedonia

Analyst from North Macedonia, Sinisa Pekevski, tells Kosovo Online that the country has yet to develop a strategy for the return of qualified individuals who have left, however, he points out that this is a long-term process, and the percentage of people returning, whether in Albania, North Macedonia, or Serbia, is small.

He emphasizes that this issue is influenced not only by financial incentives but by more critical factors such as the quality of life, corruption, and overall functioning of the system.

“Emigration, particularly among young, qualified people, is a problem faced by almost all countries, not just those in the Western Balkans but also highly developed nations. In Slovenia, for example, a significant number of young people emigrate to Austria, Switzerland, or Germany. Young people from these countries often move to warmer regions, such as the United States. It’s a global process,” Pekevski explained.

He adds that each country has different measures aimed at bringing emigrants back. Ireland, for instance, had an excellent return strategy in the 1990s, but it is important to note that their system functions effectively.

“In the Balkans, the system doesn’t work. We face high corruption and a lack of rule of law, which are the main reasons people decide to emigrate – not just financial implications,” Pekevski assessed.

Although North Macedonia’s Minister of Health, Arben Taravari, has announced measures to encourage the return of doctors working abroad, including direct employment in public healthcare, Pekevski believes these measures will not succeed because the healthcare system is in a state of collapse.

“What kind of system will these people find? An article was recently published stating that there is no biological therapy for patients with certain types of cancer, and there won’t be any. In the coming days, the system will face other shortages in therapy for treating such patients. We need deep reforms and the establishment of good governance, avoiding the hiring of unqualified party-affiliated or other personnel,” Pekevski stressed.