Ferati: Around 30% of the Ministry’s 139 Employees Lack Even Basic Working Conditions

Agon Ferati, the new Minister for Inter-Community Relations, said the institution he heads has operated without strategic direction since its establishment, lacking basic equipment and with a low level of internal cohesion. His goal is to restore trust in the Ministry and focus its work on improving interethnic relations, including in education, sporting events and political discourse.

At today’s meeting with journalists, Ferati said the Ministry, previously headed by Artan Grubi and later by Ivan Stoilkovik, has 139 employees. According to him, around 30% of the staff lack basic working conditions because there are not enough computers, desks or suitable premises.

He said he found human resources at the institution that were not being properly utilized, while people close to political cabinets wielded greater influence than the institutional structure itself.

After taking office, the minister immediately began efforts to strengthen cohesion within the Ministry. To this end, he held meetings with department heads and experts in search of solutions that would enable the institution to operate more efficiently.

Ferati described the lack of strategic documents as one of the main problems. He explained that, throughout the entire period since the Ministry was established, only two strategic documents with two-year terms had been drafted, even though a strategy should cover a period of at least five years. According to the minister, this demonstrates the lack of a defined direction and a long-term vision.

As part of the reorganization, plans have been announced to establish two new units: the Strategic Partnerships Department, which will handle international cooperation and European funds, and the Analysis and Research Department.

Between 8 and 12 new professionals in the relevant fields are expected to be hired to staff these departments. At the same time, current staff will undergo training so that employees can be assigned specific tasks.

The minister also raised the issue of the unequal distribution of grants during the previous period. Of a total of 36 grants, 29 were awarded to organizations from the Serbian community, mainly for cultural activities, while one of the grants was worth 500,000 denars.

Ferati stressed that these are state funds and that a fairer and more proportional distribution will be prioritized next year. He announced that he would also encourage Macedonian associations to apply to public calls, in order to avoid the impression that they cannot receive support from the Ministry.

Calling for broader cooperation with the media, Ferati highlighted their importance in maintaining stability and social cohesion. He cited tensions during sporting events as an example, when insults heard in stadiums often spread to social media and subsequently have an impact on political institutions as well.

According to him, the Ministry cannot dictate to the media what they should publish, but television carries particular weight through the messages it conveys to society.

Ferati added that dissatisfaction among communities is also fueled by the way investments and public support are distributed. For this reason, he suggested that a more balanced model should also be applied in sports.

The Ministry currently employs 139 people. Only five of them have been dismissed and have filed appeals, while the courts will ultimately decide these cases.