Skopje, 11 August 2025 (MIA) – I would like all workers to get a minimum wage of €1,000 rather than €500, but the Economic and Social Council is the right place to negotiate this. I call on true union members to move away from political rhetoric, as opposition politicians misuse them, and to discuss real trade union rights, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Monday.

As Mickoski pointed out in response to journalists’ questions after his visit to Petrovec, no new law can be passed, especially not now during the pre-election period, as long as there is no agreement between the unions and employers.

According to the Prime Minister, services are the main driver of inflation growth. Salaries have increased on average by 11 percent, while inflation stands at 4.5 percent, resulting in a net wage increase.

“I call for a debate. This is not a topic to be politicized, but one that should be discussed within the institutions. At the last session of the Economic and Social Council, we saw different positions between employers and unions, but I don’t see any insurmountable differences. A solution will be found through constructive dialogue, which we as a government will respect. I send a message to the union representatives, there are a few who are politically active in the opposition, but I am addressing the true union members to move away from political rhetoric, because opposition politicians misuse them, and to discuss real trade union rights,” Mickoski noted.

He noted that the government, being the largest employer, has secured wage increases in education, healthcare, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence, and nearly all institutions, and that salaries equal to the minimum no longer exist.

“The remaining part is a dialogue between the other two partners, employers and unions. On inflation, I will repeat that services are the key ‘driver’ of rising inflation, which will continue as long as someone can pay for it. When citizens stop paying, prices in service sectors will fall, and at that point, the government cannot intervene,” Mickoski said.

Photo: MIA