Skopje, 22 January 2022 (MIA) – It is of existential importance minimum wage to be increased to 18,000 denars (close to EUR 300). Arguments are on our side and I don’t see a reason why our demand should be rejected, Darko Dimovski, President of the Federation of Trade Unions (SSM), has said. SSM’s demand is inevitable, he stressed, since the consumer basket is estimated at 35,040 denars (EUR 560). “Two workers working for minimum wage are lacking 4,640 denars (EUR 75) to cover monthly costs of a family.” “It is what workers expect given the price shocks and the energy crisis… We have no other hopes but to have our wages increased and survive the month,” Dimovski told MIA. For SSM, Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi’s statement that minimum wage will raise at least to 18,000 denars in the second quarter of 2022 is unacceptable. It makes no sense, the minimum wage is defined in March each year, he said. “The law is clear. Each March, minimum wage is aligned under three criteria – rise in average wage, rise in costs and GDP increase. What the economy minister has said it unacceptable for us. It makes no sense because even if we don’t want to, minimum wage has to be aligned. Due to the Covid pandemic and the energy crisis, we believe that 18,000 denars is acceptable solutions for minimum-wage workers. There are more than 110,000,” stressed Dimovski. In parallel with minimum wage increase, all other salaries should be also increased, he insisted. According to the trade union leader, it is regulated under the law on minimum wage. “Laws and collective agreements aren’t respected. Why is that – you’ll have to ask the employers and the government. Under Article 8 of the law on minimum wage, according to the minimum wage increase, other salaries are also increased. Collective agreements also regulate this. The employers should explain why they are not doing this although they are bound by the collective agreements. The government too should explain why it is no ordering them. This way, a good portion of taxes regarding salary contribution are not paid. Everyone loses – the workers as well as the government,” said Dimovski. The SSM has announced it will take to the streets if minimum wage is not increased. SSM and government officials will meet on Monday to discuss minimum wage increase, violations of the law regulating Sunday as rest day and yearly bonuses.