Skopje, 26 December 2024 (MIA) - The Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia (ECNWM) calls for minimum wage at EUR 500, contributions to be reduced from 47.7 to 32 percent, and part of the administration to be transferred to the private sector.

On Thursday, the Chamber once again raised the issue of VAT refunds to companies. According to ECNWM president Mendi Qyra, under both the previous and current governments, tax refunds are delayed.

"In terms of the administration, our proposals are the same as before, even before this government came. We believe the administration is overcrowded, and we want part of it to be retrained for the private sector. We call for minimum wage at Mden 31,500. We also call for contributions to be reduced, because we believe they are too high, which is a burden that penalizes salary. In our country, it is progressive, the more salary you pay, the more contributions you pay. For EUR 1,000, 52 percent is paid, not 47 percent. For the minimum wage, 47.5 percent is paid, and for a higher salary, for example, a salary of EUR 1,000, 52 percent is paid. In Slovenia, where the salary is higher, 42 percent drops, from 42 to 41 percent... So, to stimulate it in this way. As regards VAT, the explanation was the vacuum between the changes, so the refund was delayed under the previous government before the elections, and it is also delayed under the current one, when it came to power. Thus, from time to time, a company gets paid, then gets refunded, then the number changes," said Qyra.

He did not specify how a possible transfer of part of the administration to the private sector would be stimulated, whether through some kind of severance pay or higher wages.

"Both sides need to provide funds, both the Government and the companies, to stimulate those workers to be transferred from the administration to the private sector," the ECNWM president said.  

Photo/video: MIA