Skopje, 17 February 2026 (MIA) - The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) staged on Tuesday a blockade of the government building, as the last of its three announced blockades of institutions. Union members demanded that the Government puts forward amendments raising the minimum wage to EUR 600 and all other wages by EUR 100.

Union leader Slobodan Trendafilov said SSM would provide time for an agreement to be reached until the end of February, if that does not happen the union is ready to stage a general strike and protest in the first half of March. Targeted blockades in other parts of the country are also possible until then, Trendafilov said.

“If they don’t reach an agreement and don’t discuss raising the minimum wage and all other wages by the end of February, a general strike will follow alongside a general workers’ protest that all workers will be called to. We will organize transportation, so that there are no excuses. This will happen in the first half of March, since March is the month when the minimum wage will be determined,” Trendafilov said. 

Trendafilov said the employers' arguments concerning the productivity of workers don’t hold water since data from the International Labor Organization has shown that a worker receiving a minimum wage of Mden 24.792 generates Mden 290.000 per month for the employer.

“Until the end of February they have a chance to sit down and reach an agreement, they can say by how much they are ready to increase the wages. The main excuse they have been using for 35-36 years in Macedonia – productivity – has resulted in the emigration of the most qualified workers and their families,” Trendafilov said.

If the union’s demands aren’t met, in March the minimum wage is expected to be adjusted by Mden 1.500-1.700.

Photo: MIA