Skopje, 9 May 2023 (MIA) - The average family of four in North Macedonia needed Mden 49,384 to cover minimal living expenses in April 2023. Mden 19,224 were needed to cover food and drinks costs, and Mden 13,423 were needed to cover basic monthly utilities.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM), which prepares the minimum consumer basket estimates, says that one official's salary covers three minimal consumer basket wages, and one worker with two and a half minimum wages cannot cover the consumer basket.

"Despite all the Government's measures, the costs of food and drinks in one year only has increased by Mden 2,766, and in 2023, the value of food and drinks in the Union's minimal consumer basket has never decreased, which shows that officials only care about their interest and knowing this fact, they have increased their salaries by Mden 2,000 per day, or by 78 percent monthly," says the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia. ssh/nn/