Skopje, 18 May 2023 (MIA) - There is no wage freeze, no such thing has ever been said. On the contrary, in the past three or four years, there has been a constant movement in wages in the entire public sector, including education, health, security structures, inspectorates, the judiciary, prosecution. So, where needed, every year there has been an upward movement in wages, Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi said Thursday. 

Besimi told reporters that there must be a systemic and financially sustainable solution on wages that will apply to the entire public sector because the current wage system is fragmented and has partial solutions that partially resolve things.

"We see trade unions as a partner in resolving these issues. There should be a systemic, sustainable solution that will apply to everyone in the public sector, and will eliminate the need to negotiate with the unions every six months. Let's instead have a solution that will be valid every year, within the framework of the law and the general collective agreement," said Besimi.   

The unions' request to take the average salary as a basis, Besimi added, is acceptable but with a time gap. At the moment, he pointed out, the calculations are underway in the Ministry of Finance.