Skopje, 7 June 2024 (MIA) - General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, is to visit the Federation of Trade Unions of North Macedonia (SSM) alongside her expert team at the beginning of September over the current state of play and the issues faced by SSM. 

SSM said Friday that the visit will take place September 1-3, when ETUC representatives will be briefed on the situation and ongoing procedures before the competent authorities in the country and before the International Court of Human Rights over the Supreme Court's illegal decision to seize the union building, which has been its property for more than 70 years, and transfer it to the State. 

"ETUC expressed its support to SSM regarding the confiscation of the property and appealed to the EU Delegation in the country, Ambassador David Geer, as well as the Macedonian Ambassador in Brussels for their engagement towards protecting the union's property as one of the essential assumptions for freedom of trade union association, organization and functioning. The visit at the highest level by representatives of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and their support to SSM shows that respect for trade union rights must always be ensured, especially in a country like ours which is in the process of European Union accession negotiations," said SSM.  

Photo: MIA archive