Skopje, 30 July 2025 (MIA) - The issue of raising the minimum wage to EUR 500 and adjusting all other wages was discussed at a session of the Economic-Social Council (ESC), which convened on Wednesday for the first time after a months-long pause. However, the Government is adamant that a decision to increase the minimum wage must take other parameters into account and not lead to increased inflation. The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) expressed their disappointment, pointing out that the country will continue to have the lowest minimum wage in the region.

Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi told a press conference after the session that the issue was raised upon SSM’s request, but that the Government will not implement “ad hoc solutions” like “the previous Government did”.

“As a Government, we are working on improving the citizens’ standard. If the unions and employers agree, we will support them, we can’t be on just one side. Wages have been increased in public administration, in education, healthcare, police. We won’t lead policies like the previous Government did and implement ad hoc solutions. We need to assess productivity as well, and we can’t increase inflation,” Durmishi said.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) expressed their disappointment at the lack of prospects for an increase of the minimum wage.

“What we heard is that SSM is asking for too much, that the workers are asking for too much. What is concerning is that they were very coordinated in defending the position against increasing the minimum wage,” union leader Slobodan Trendafilov told journalists.

Trendafilov said SSM’s highest bodies would convene to discuss the next steps, stressing that the period until the calling of the local elections is brief which, he said, means workers in the country will continue to have the lowest minimum wage in the region.

At the session, the methodology for the calculation of the Government’s consumer basket was presented as well. According to the Economy Minister, the new consumer basket will not mean a dismissal of the consumer basket calculated by SSM, which he described as a desired basket and not one based on the real needs of the citizens.

MIA file photo