Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

The cultivation of tobacco in Macedonia has a very long tradition. Pelagonia region, the cultivation of tobacco is mostly present in municipalities Krivogashtani Dolneni and Prilep. Although the labor force in the agricultural sector is one of the main factors of production in the manufacturing process, the question of the involvement of children in the production process as well as ensuring fairness between the owners of agricultural land and hired workers has become a tradition that is repeated every year. While ago Philip Morris International, Inc. (PMI) adopted the instrument of agricultural working practices (ALP), which ja emphasizes the need to monitor the inclusion of children in agricultural activities and the status of agricultural workers.

In the previous two years, MCIC was involved in the implementation of the pilot phase that included informing the workers involved in the process of tobacco production and the farmers themselves on topics related to workers' rights, labor and agricultural practices. It aimed to create a mechanism through which agricultural workers will be able to identify their problems but also to provide support and information to farmers in the Municipality of Krivogastani, which ultimately will improve the working conditions and business practices.

During the visits to farms was noted that some tobacco growers do not realize the importance of all ALP principles with appropriate seriousness, especially when it comes to child labor. Based on the evaluation of the pilot project it was decided to continue the project in the Municipality of Krivogastani with special focus on monitoring the involvement of children in agricultural activities and the status of agricultural workers (laborers).

Overall objective of the project is to ensure the promotion of social and economic development in the region.

The project aims to create a mechanism to support tobacco growers and workers involved in them, including eliminating (reducing) to child labor. This mechanism should provide long-term implementation of the ALP principles, particularly in relation to prevention of child labour and the possible misuse of hired workers.

The target group includes tobacco farmers, hired agricultural workers (wage earners in tobacco production), purchasers and relevant institutions.

Direct users are tobacco producers with families who have children, hired agricultural workers (wage earners in tobacco production) and tobacco farmers.

The target area is Municipality of Krivogastani.

Expected result of the project is functional supportive mechanism for labor practices and child labor in tobacco production in the Municipality of Krivogastani. 

The implementation period of the project is January 2 to December 31 2015. 

The budget amounts to 1,225,437 МКД.