Skopje, 31 January 2026 (MIA) - It's not a problem for me to go to SSM, the offer is on the table. The Union of Workers from Administration, Judicial Authorities and Citizens' Associations (UPOZ) should make an effort to sign the offer and enable 7,700 state administrative officers to receive a 40 percent wage increase in two years and two months, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Saturday after the leader of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) invited him at yesterday's press conference to come to SSM and sign the collective agreement increasing the salaries of workers by 40 percent and increase the minimum wage to EUR 600 as of February 2026.

"The offer is on the table and if they accept it, it is not a problem. The offer is to hold the meeting anywhere - either in the Government, or in SSM or some other place. UPOZ should make an effort, there is another representative union there, we are ready. Then, these 7,700 - 7,800 state administrative workers will receive a minimum of 40 percent higher salary in two years and two months," Mickoski said.

As regards the bill on minimum wage submitted by SDSM, he said that he had not seen it, adding however that the Government's position is clear - the workers and the employers should agree on the minimum wage increase.

"As the largest employer, we have regulated our relations with our workers. There remains a small part of approximately 7,700-7,800 employees in the state administration, i.e. administrative workers. The offer is on the table - if the unions, the two representative unions or representatives of the unions agree, we are ready to accept it as early as tomorrow. In other words, in two years and two months from today, employees in state administration will have at least 40 percent higher incomes. That is our proposal. It remains for the union leaders to distance themselves from political influences and sign it in the interest of the workers. The Government is only a facilitator in the tripartite dialogue, and SDSM is only a political party," said Mickoski. 

He also condemned a court verdict for journalist Liridona Vejseli, who has to pay a fine of EUR 700 because she mentioned the name of a judge in an article.

"I cannot hold the judge accountable, because I am not the one who appoints judges, there is a Judicial Council for that, but I strongly condemn this type of restriction of freedom of speech. I have often said this, and I will say it again - journalists should behave ethically, serve to inform the public. Freedom of speech comes first and foremost and I strongly condemn any attack on a journalist, including the one you are referring to now, and appeal that it not be repeated in the future, regardless of whether it is by a politician, a public figure, a judge in the case, because it can be interpreted as a restriction of freedom of speech," Mickoski said. 

Commenting on Saturday's protests against the USJE cement plant, the PM said everyone has the right to express their dissatisfaction, but work is underway to improve things.

"I can't say anything about the fact that nothing has been done for decades. But we signed contracts for the construction of cogeneration plants and district heating, we brought eco-buses not only to Skopje, but other cities and Tetovo will also receive them. We are working in all possible ways to ensure that citizens have a healthier and ecologically cleaner environment," Mickoski said during a visit to Tetovo on Saturday. 

Photo: print screen