English - Convention on Biological Diversity

98
COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
detected air pollutants include SOx, NOx, COx, CFCs, smoke and breathable dust
(diameter of less than 10 µm) with high concentrations of heavy metals. Effects on
biodiversity are directly noticeable through acidification and through changed
relationships within animal food webs (Section 3.8.3.);
• water contamination (Section 3.8.3.1.);
• improper disposal of various types of solid waste (often toxic);
• contamination of soil.
5.5. Construction
5.5.1. and 5.5.2. Current status and economic importance of the sector and changes
in the sector over time
Construction is a significant sector, holding a specific position in Macedonia. In
terms of available capacity, it exceeds the market within the country. This situation was
inherited from former Yugoslavia, where the construction sector served as an absorber
of under-qualified labour (originating from rural areas) which were unable to find
employment in industry. This was particularly seen in the early 1980s, with the outbreak
of the economic crisis in other sectors. As a result, a large number of construction
companies were established in Macedonia using low-paid labour, which enabled them to
acquire a competitive advantage and receive significant tenders, especially in the
markets of former socialist countries. Unfortunately, the initiation of the process of
transition brought about the loss of these markets.
The construction sector in Macedonia has undergone a great upheaval during the last
several years. Its contribution to the generation of domestic macroeconomic aggregate
variables has exhibited a decreasing trend, from 10.4% in 1980 to 4.6% in 1990. A
minor improvement was recorded in 1995 (7.3%), when the first modest signals of a
Macedonian economic recovery appeared; however, in the course of the next two to
three years, its contribution to the GDP had stabilised at about 5% (5.3% in 1997, 5.8%
in 1998 and 5.2% in 1999) (Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia 1999, p.
209, and Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia 2001, p. 314-315, State
Statistical Office, Skopje).
Of interest is the trend in the number of firms engaged in construction activities. In
the first half of the 1980s (corresponding to the commencement of the economic crisis in
former Yugoslavia), the number of enterprises increased, accompanied by a slight
reduction in the number of workers. These contradictory indicators provide evidence of
the initial stages of the crisis faced by the construction sector. The trend toward a
reduction in the labour force continued during the 1990s, actually accelerating, but
stabilised by the end of the decade at about 35,000 employees.
This by no means indicates that over-employment has been eliminated but, rather,
reflects the state of the uncompleted process of privatisation in former worker-owned
construction companies. On the other hand, the growth in the number of companies in
this sector is rather indicative (from 253 in 1990 to as many as 1,999 in 1997)
(Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Macedonia 1999, p. 436, State Statistical Office,
Skopje). This is further supported by the registration records of the large number of
small construction companies which were privately owned from the beginning, have a
relatively low number of employees (i.e., they do not address the over-employment
problem) and are extraordinary flexible.