Kavadarci, 24 November 2023 (MIA) - Street protests are normal in a country governed by democracy and freedom. The time when no one was allowed to protest in the country is long gone and will never come back, said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska in response to Friday's protests organized by the Union of workers in the administration, judiciary and citizens associations (UPOZ).

Minister Trenchevska said the protests are legitimate while adding it is also legitimate to inform the citizens that the new General Collective Agreement has been signed, which incorporates UPOZ from the order of unions.

"According to the new General Collective Agreement, wages of all public sector employees were increased by 10 percent in September, and further raises will come in September 2024 and March 2025, when the new wage calculation methodology is set to take effect, multiplying coefficients with the average wage. We reached this agreement with the Federation of Trade Unions (SSM) as the most representative trade union after nearly two decades," Trenchevska told reporters.

According to her, wages have increased by at least 10 percent in all sectors, even by 80-100 percent in some when compared to the situation a few years ago.

Earlier today, court and prosecutorial staff staged a protest in front of the Parliament, urging lawmakers from all political parties to incorporate their demands for higher wages in next year's budget, which is currently discussed by MPs.

Photo: MIA