Skopje, 1 May 2023 (MIA) — Workers are facing injustices that should be unimaginable in the 21st century, Confederation of Free Trade Unions members said at the protest march they held under the slogan "For Justice, For Equality" on International Workers' Day.

They marched from their union's headquarters to the government building, where they addressed the authorities saying that the state had broken laws and collective agreements for years and ignored demands for improving working conditions.

Education, Science and Culture Workers' Union leader Jakim Nedelkov said the workers's situation remained unchanged. He said they were protesting over pay as well as working and living conditions.

"Yes, for a decent salary. Yes, for a decent job. Yes, for a decent life. That's what we're here for today. We don't have these things," Nedelkov said.

Union of Residential, Commercial, Communal and Water Supply Organizations leader Zoran Antovski reiterated the unions' demands for higher pay and expressed his disappointment with officials giving themselves raises.

"We demand respect for workers and their work. We demand a real social dialogue. We demand rises according to the minimum wage law. We demand annual leave allowance according to the standards. We demand implementation of all collective agreements and all rights in line with the laws. Let me just remind you that, unfortunately, officials increased their own salaries while leaving workers to beg in the streets," Antovski said.

Macedonian Police Union leader Orce Kocevski said that if it were not for the threats and pressures on Interior Ministry employees, many more of them would have joined the protest.

Demanding better pay, decent working hours and respect for collective agreements, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia held a protest as well, marching under the slogan "Workers Are the State." mr/