Skopje, 4 January 2024 (MIA) - Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi said Thursday there is no money in the Budget for increasing officials' wages in 2024. 

In response to reporters' questions at Thursday's press conference, Besimi noted that it was not in the Budget to increase the wages of elected and appointed officials in accordance with the legal alignment.  

"There is no money in the Budget for increasing officials' wages in 2024. This is a reflection of the policy announced by the Government that there will be interventions in the law to prevent this from happening in 2024. There is no money for additional increase according to the law, whereby an increase is to follow every year in line with adjustment to the average wage. It is not in the Budget to increase the wages of elected officials and appointed persons," said Besimi. 

As regards employment announcements in state institutions, Besimi said there is staff outflow in the institutions and vacant positions should be filled. According to a conclusion of the Government, transforming employment contracts from a fixed to an indefinite time is also allowed, but it must be within the institution's budget.

Photo: MIA