Skopje, 20 November 2024 (MIA) - A family of four in North Macedonia needed Mden 62,021 to cover the minimal consumer basket in November, which is an increase of Mden 772 compared to October, said the Federation of Trade Unions (SSM) on Wednesday.

According to the new methodology of the minimum consumers' basket, renting a 60 m2 apartment increases costs to Mden 77,396.

 "The data on the value of the consumer basket proves that someone is taking advantage of citizens and workers, while violating Government measures created to help low-income families," SSM said.

Vendors, according to the press release, show that they lack social responsibility and respect for the Government, if we take into account that the value of the minimum consumer basket for food and beverages, a day after the government measure ended, increased by Mden 609; the total consumer basket increased by Mden 772 and is now valued at Mden 62.021.

"Vendors took advantage of the announcement of the previous measure to unjustifiably increase prices in September, thus increasing the value of food and beverages by Mden 717. The measure initially reduced prices by Mden 965, but today there was another increase of Mden 609, further impoverishing workers and citizens," the press release states.

The value of the minimal consumer basket for November 2024 is Mden 62.021, compared to that of January 2024 (Mden 57.163), there was an increase of Mden 4.858 or 8.5 percent. The cost of food and beverages in November amounted to Mden 22.678, compared to January 2024 (Mden 21.007) increased by Mden 1.671 or 7.9 percent.

SSM is holding discussions with the Ministry of Economy and Labor about creating future measures, but it is necessary for vendors to show social responsibility and the government, in the creation of new measures, have a stricter approach to unfair trade practices and must implement strict penalties. ssh/ba/

MIA file photo