Skopje, 2 September 2024 (MIA) - The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) said Monday the fight for higher wages is not political and the dignity of workers should not be politicized by any stakeholder, while urging for a solution to problems through social dialogue, with wage growth being a top priority for the new government.

"Our fight for higher wages and conclusion of collective agreements is not political, as some want to present it. Our fight is one for a decent life and decent salaries. Our expectation for a wage growth and alignment of salaries in line with provisions is a necessity that should have happened yesterday because tomorrow could be too late. Therefore, we call for social dialogue in order to find a solution for all problems and challenges as social partners," SSM president Slobodan Trendafilov told a press conference.

SSM urges for conclusion of collective agreements and their annexes, so that wages of employees in Macedonia rise between 12-15 percent in 2025.

"There was no government in office on May Day, when we presented our demand of a minimum wage in the amount of EUR 450. This should have already been in the past, and we talk about a minimum wage of EUR 600 or even EUR 800, considering that Macedonian workers mostly go and work in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia," said Trendafilov.

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) secretary-general Esther Lynch said in a video-address it is essential to have a real social dialogue that is supported by both the executive and the employers.

"Trade unions are the legitimate representatives of workers and we are here to support them in their struggle for decent wages and working conditions. We are here to stand shoulder to shoulder with our members in the fight against a 72-hour work week and in favor of Sunday as rest day. Scientific research has shown these aspects might lead to unsafe working conditions and increasing other occupational risks," said Lynch.

Photo: MIA