In the period from November 29 to December 3, 2022, a Delegation from the Republic of North Macedonia, at the invitation of the Olof Palme International Center, visited the city of Borås, Sweden. The delegation was accompanied by: Representatives from the association "Glasen Tekstilec" - Shtip, KUC Tekstil, Municipality of Shtip, Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Ministry of Economy, Center for Vocational Education and Training, Secondary Textile School "Dimitar Miraschiev" from Shtip, advisors from the offices of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, from the Prime Minister's Office, the Textile Cluster, as well as representatives from the Olof Palme International Center. During the visit, they made contacts with the Mayor of the city of Borås, the Textile Fashion Center, the Textile Museum, the University of Textiles, a science center, as well as two companies whose activities are related to the fashion industry.
Through social dialogue, involvement of all stakeholders, honest and hard work, we can restore the reputation of the textile industry, but through a transformation that will follow modern trends, and with it a better standard for workers. The example we saw in Boros is the formula we need too, which works, which can be implemented and gives results – said Ampeva.
Kristina Ampeva from Glasen Tekstilec states that the city of Borås has a long history as a textile center, dating back to the mid-19th century, and was, at the time, the most developed region in Sweden - thanks to the textile industry. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, a crisis hit the textile industry. Many companies closed and external migration increased, with a third of the workers leaving the city.
-But the city authorities, the business sector, experts and workers decide to sit at one table and, despite all the differences between them, are seriously involved in overcoming this crisis and transforming this industry into something completely new that will bring jobs and workers back to the city, contribute to the growth of the economy and the standard of living of citizens, but also restore the reputation of the textile sector for which the city is recognized to this day - says Ampeva.
The study visit is funded by the Olof Palme International Center.
