Skopje, 28 May 2025 (MIA) - The Organisation of Employers of Macedonia is open to dialogue on every issue, but notes that there is a Law on Minimum Wage, the criteria of which have been agreed upon by all three parties to the social dialogue. However, according to Deputy Minister of Economy and Labour, Marjan Risteski, and head of the employers' organisation, Vladanka Trajkoska, the minimum wage should not be a challenge, the challenge should be increasing all wages by increasing productivity.

Expressing his personal opinion, in response to a reporter's question ahead of Wednesday's conference of the employers' organisation, Risteski noted that the formula of the Law on Minimum Wage might have worked at the time when the legal solution was passed, but in the future, he added, "economic parameters, economic growth and increasing productivity should be taken into account much more in terms of increasing wages, especially the minimum wage."

The Deputy Minister reiterated the position that the Government will accept any solution that employers and workers will reach together.

According to Trajkoska, any dialogue is welcome, but the Law on Minimum Wage precisely defines the conditions and criteria agreed upon by all three parties to the social dialogue. The employers' organisation, Trajkoska noted, not only respects the Law, but also functions institutionally.

"The Law on Minimum Wage was adopted on the basis of social dialogue. We fully respect this Law. For other legal changes that would follow, there should still be some social dialogue. Until then, the Government is playing with open cards - dialogue with the unions and the employers. Whatever they agree on, we will respect it in the interest of both parties, both workers and employers," Risteski stressed ahead of the conference organized by the employers' organisation on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) maintains its position that not only the minimum wage, but wages in the country in general should be increased. According to SSM leader Slobodan Trendafilov, who also attended Wednesday's conference, North Macedonia is one of the countries in the region with the lowest average and minimum wages, and the Government, or the employers, has no intention of making a serious step forward. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (CSM) maintains its position that not only the minimum wage, but also wages in general in Macedonia should be increased. As stated by the President of CSM, Slobodan Trendafilov, who also attended the ORM conference, the country is one of the countries in the region with the lowest average and minimum wages, and the opposing side, the Government or employers, has no intention of making a serious step forward. He noted that productivity should be targeted through one thing only - increasing wages.

Photo/video: MIA