Trade unions in North Macedonia are intensifying demands for an increase in the minimum wage, as well as a general pay rise across all sectors, especially in the public sector. Following a 90-minute meeting with government representatives, Slobodan Trendafilov, president of the Federation of Trade Unions (LSM), said that workers’ frustrations are less directed at the government and more at other unions that oppose comprehensive wage increases.
The meeting focused on both the minimum wage and broader salary adjustments. Trendafilov emphasized that some unions present at the meeting called for the annulment of a provision in the general collective agreement that currently hinders uniform salary growth in the public sector.
“What’s important is that discussions will continue in the coming period,” said Trendafilov. “The government indicated that it is not against raising the minimum wage at this time, and we also addressed the need for a broader increase in public sector salaries.”
However, not all union voices are in agreement. Blagoja Ralpovski of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions criticized the LSM’s demands as “pure populism.” He argued that if the minimum wage were increased to €500, only about 50,000 to 60,000 workers would see any benefit, out of a national workforce of around 700,000.
“We raised the question of whether increasing the minimum wage to 30,000 denars would only affect 70,000 to 80,000 workers,” said Ralpovski. “We asked the Prime Minister whether the government was prepared to uphold the law and collective agreements at the branch level, and whether it could withstand the financial implications. Our stance has always been, and remains, that laws and agreements must be respected.”
As negotiations continue, the debate reflects deeper tensions within the labor movement itself—between those pushing for aggressive wage reform and others cautioning against economic overreach. The outcome could significantly impact workers' income and the broader economic stability of North Macedonia.