Skopje, 5 July 2024 (MIA) - The question is how to pay for what has been planned in the Budget. We are trying to be creative and ensure the citizens don’t feel it. There will be funds for increased pensions, and we will talk with the unions to see if it is possible to raise the minimum wage to EUR 450 in the first 100 days of Government, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told reporters Friday.

“In the past seven years a typhoon crossed through the country, and not only did it rob it, but it also fiercely destroyed it. I hope that in the first 100 days I will have a chance to sit down with the unions, alongside the ministers of finance, of economy and labor, and of social policy, demographics and youth, so we can talk and show them the figures so they can see what we are dealing with,” Mickoski said in answer to a journalist’s question.

The PM said the figures in the Budget are “catastrophic” and added that funds will be found for the increased pensions because “there is a proper redistribution of the Budget”.

“Mden 2.5 billion are lacking for a regular payout of pensions, apart from the additional linear increase that we announced and promised. However, we will fight until the end for everything that’s in the interest of the citizens to also be our interest and to realize it,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski said they would sit down for talks with the trade unions to see if it would be possible to increase the minimum wage to EUR 450 in the first 100 days of Government, as per the unions’ demands.

“If it is possible – good, but if it is not possible, I expect all of us to reach a conclusion on how to work together to create a possibility for it. That’s precisely the way in which this Government should function – to be a partner with all based on our opportunities. If we can find the funds together, we will sit down and talk. Anyone who thinks they have a solution should come forward, I want to hear it and discuss it. All solutions are welcome. We are all here and we are working for the good of the citizens and the future of our shared country,” Mickoski stressed.

Photo: MIA Archive