Skopje, 1 May 2026 (MIA) - The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) held a protest rally on Friday, demanding higher wages and better working conditions.

The protest started in front of the union building, to the Parliament, the Economic Chamber and ended before the government building where protesters voiced their demands.

SSM leader Slobodan Trendafilov said that many workers today are afraid to join the protests despite not being satisfied with their salaries. 

"Today, unfortunately, 260,000 workers live on a salary of less than EUR 600, but only a few thousand people joined the May Day protest," Trendafilov said.

He pointed out that "unfortunately, a large number of workers die at work today. They leave for work in the morning, failing to make it back home in the evening. And no one is taking any action to protect them".

"Today is May 1, the day when workers took to the streets back in 1886, at the cost of their lives, to protect their workers' rights, to shorten the working day from 12 to 8 hours, and to protest," Trendafilov noted, calling for workers' rights in the country to be respected.

Independent Trade Union for Education and Science leader Tomislav Gievski voiced the union's demands.

"May Day lives on and will continue to live on as long as there are workers who are up to the task and who fight for their workers' rights. It will continue to live on as long as there are unions that are not controlled by the centers of political power, whereas those that are - may it serve their honor. As an Independent Trade Union for Education and Science, we stand firm on our demands, which include respect for collective agreements, respect for the calculation of wages according to the coefficient multiplied by the minimum wage. We demand that respect for collective agreements and dignified appreciation of the labor of employees in the education sector begin as soon as possible. We demand decent wages and decent appreciation of the labor of employees in child protection," said Gievski.

He said they will not give up on the fight. 

The Independent Trade Union for Education, Science and Culture (SONK) did not take part in Friday's protest, calling for resolving issues through social dialogue and negotiations, rather than street protests. 

Photo: MIA