Skopje, 8 October 2024 (MIA) – The Economic and Social Council (ESC) will hold a session, its first after the government’s formation, on Thursday (Oct. 10). Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi said Tuesday that at the session, demands, ideas, criticism and proposals, including the demand for raising minimum wage, will be discussed with employers and trade union officials.

“We will make decisions together in a transparent manner. We’ll see the capability of the government while also listening to both the employers and trade unions before making a joint decision,” said Durmishi answering questions at a news conference marking the government’s first 100 days in office. 

Regarding the trade unions’ demand on increasing the minimum wage to EUR 450 by the end of the first 100 days in office of the government, Durmishi citing the legislation said minimum wage should be raised in March 2025.

“According to the law, minimum wage should raise in March next year. It is a methodology that was aligned with the trade unions and employers by the former government. If they are not content with what they agreed and signed, they will have the chance this Thursday at the first session of the Council to say that the methodology should be changed,” the economy minister stated. 

To increase the minimum wage earlier than March 2025, the law on raising minimum wage and the methodology should be amended. 

“The methodology states two reasons for increasing minimum wage. The first is 50 percent of the rise in living standards from the year before and the second, 50 percent of the average net salary paid the year before. It means the methodology should change before raising minimum wage earlier than March 2025,” Durmishi said.   

On October 1, which marked the government’s first 100 days in office, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) and the employers’ organization said they expected a session of the Economic and Social Council to be scheduled soon. Falling short of commenting the first 100 days in office of the new cabinet, SSM said they hoped a session will be convened in which they will be informed on what has been done. The organization of the employers said despite having high expectation, nothing has been done so far. 

MIA file photo