Skopje, 22 December 2025 (MIA) - The Economic-Social Council (ESC) did not reach a decision over an increase of the minimum wage at a session on Monday. The Government said it is not against an increase but asked for economic justification of the move, noting that economic parameters "show there is no need for this at the moment".

"According to analyses and data coming from the State Statistical Office, inflation in November was 0.5 percent and the annual inflation stands at four percent, which points to stabilization of price trends. Next year projections put inflation below three percent. The Government has never been against an increase of the minimum wage, but we leave this agreement between the employers and the trade unions. Nevertheless, these economic indicators show no justification for emergency increase of the minimum wage, ahead of the regular alignment in March, which is clearly defined and would range between Mden 1,500-2,000 (EUR 24-32)," said Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi.

According to him, an emergency increase without productivity and real economic parameters would create added pressure, primarily on small enterprises and the job market.

Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) President Slobodan Trendafilov said the minimum wage and other salaries should increase, since the projected increase of about Mden 1,500 would not cover the rising cost of living.

"We are waiting on the Government and the employers to reach an agreement, considering that amounts of EUR 600 and up to EUR 1,000 were mentioned when it comes to the minimum wage. We would like to see this agreement sooner, because the workers are barely making ends meet with the current minimum wage," said Trendafilov after the ESC session.

He said SSM is left to fight for the increase by itself, because even the other unions have joined against the minimum wage rise.

"If we had waited for the prior executive back in 2022 to observe the Law on Minimum Wage, if we hadn't staged protests and changed the criteria, the workers' minimum wage would have now stood well below the current amount," said Trendafilov and added that more radical actions would be taken in the future.

He sees not much room for optimism because if budget funds for wages were higher by 13.8 percent in 2025, but salaries increased between 5-7 percent, "next year's budget earmarks a 7-percent increase for salaries, meaning that the raise will be even lower."

Business Confederation of Macedonia President Mile Boshkov said talks could take place ahead of the March alignment while adding that an enormous increase of the minimum wage is impossible.

"We have not reached a concrete agreement and I hope we can hold talks by March. There are models on how to discuss the minimum wage. One of the proposals of the Business Confederation is to include the minimum wage in the collective agreements in certain sectors, thus reducing abuses. It is now up to unions and employers to come to an agreement, said Boshkov.

Photo: Screenshot