Skopje, 27 March 2026 (MIA) — Administrative staff at the Ministry of Economy and Labor will see their paychecks rise by 21% over the next three years under a new collective agreement, according to the Independent Trade Union of the State Administration in a press release Friday.

The ministry's employees' salaries will go up by 7% every March for the next three years. Their new collective agreement aims to balance public and private sector wages, the trade union said, urging the government to foster a business climate that allows private companies to follow the trend.

"A strong economy rests on two pillars: a satisfied employee in the private sector and an efficient civil servant in the public administration," the union said.

According to the release, the raises will motivate workers to be more accountable. Future reform efforts will focus on "the strict enforcement of laws and regulations" and making the government more professional and helpful to the public. 

The union said it will keep advocating for better working conditions and institutional efficiency, as well. mr/