Skopje, 3 July 2023 (MIA) - The Economic-Social Council is set to resume Monday talks on the increase of public sector wages after stakeholders agreed that the Government makes new simulations over the wage calculations in line with the unions' proposals.

The methodology on the rise of public sector wages was presented at last week's meeting of the Council, including a 2,5-year transitional period leading to their increase.

After a constructive discussion among social partners, they agreed that the transitional period is acceptable, while Government representatives are set to make new simulations in accordance with the offered proposals by the unions, said the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy after the meeting and added there is progress in the negotiations.

Unions said there has been some shift from the deadlock but added they would not give up on their demands.

"We will see on Monday if the Government will put forward a new calculation," said union representative Trpe Deanoski after the session.

Regarding the calculation model, the unions propose that the minimum wage is multiplied by a coefficient on complexity of job positions, whereas the Government says it should be the average wage multiplied by a certain complexity coefficient.

Photo: MIA archive