Skopje, 9 February 2024 (MIA) – Head of Union of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM) Angel Ristov stated in Friday's press conference that the state failed to allocate funds in the budget for fulfilling the obligations outlined in the collective agreement between the UKIM Union and the Parliament, although it is valid and came into effect on January 1.

He has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister within the next three days. Ristov warned that failure to arrange the meeting will result in a protest.

“If we don't hold a meeting with the Prime Minister within three days, as stated in the announcement sent by the rectorate and signed by all deans, the rector, and vice-rectors, we will escalate our actions. A protest will ensue, and if this preliminary protest doesn't lead to resolution, we will proceed with a strike," Ristov warned.

According to Ristov, non-compliance with the collective agreement undermines the autonomy of the University.

“On December 29, 2022, the Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi and the UKIM Head Angel Ristov signed a collective agreement of the University. This collective agreement took effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette, and its implementation began on January 1, 2024,” Ristov said.

As he noted, representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Education and Science, and Labor and Social Policy were involved in the negotiations on collective agreements.

However, he emphasized that despite this, the relevant ministries did not allocate funds in the budget for 2024 to fulfill the obligations outlined in the collective agreement, citing the excuse that it was not registered in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy.

He explained that the collective agreement of UKIM is valid and binds the state to adhere to it, as it has neither been terminated by the contracting parties nor annulled by the Constitutional Court.

“The failure to adhere to the legally binding collective agreement of UKIM represents a breach of the rule of law principle, a commitment that the Government evidently supports,” Ristov added.

The UKIM Rector Biljana Angelova accused the institutions of showing an ignorant attitude towards UKIM during today’s press conference.

The Rector of the University, Biljana Angelova, accused the institutions of showing an ignorant attitude towards UKIM during today's press conference."

"The institutions' indifferent stance has been ongoing for a considerable period, possibly exceeding 15 years. While the collective agreement serves as a trigger, there are numerous underlying reasons - compromised financial autonomy, personnel autonomy, and functional autonomy, all of which pose daily operational challenges,” Angelova stated.

She underscored that the collected agreement signed during 2022 by the Union and the Parliament is legally binding and published in the Official Gazette.

Photo: MIA