Skopje, 22 April 2025 (MIA) - The minimal consumer basket in April stands at 62,691 (EUR 1,019), an increase of Mden 836 (EUR 14) compared to March, said the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) on Tuesday.

According to SSM, the cost of food and beverages amounted to 34.3 percent of the total consumer basket, followed by education (11.2%), rent and bills (9.7%), clothes and shoes (9%), recreation and culture (8.9%), transport (7.4%), restaurants and hotels (6.6%), communications (5.5%), personal hygiene and home hygiene (3.9%), health (1.8%), and other goods and services (1.8%).

According to SSM, the fact that 2.5 minimum wages cannot cover the minimal consumer basket makes the unions' demand for a minimum wage of at least EUR 500 and further increase of other salaries by at least EUR 100 realistic and justified.

It adds that the minimal basket has been calculated since 2011 and its value aims to show policymakers that wages are low and must be continually increased.

MIA file photo