Skopje, 28 September 2023 (MIA) — The Independent Court Administration Union and the Union of Prison Police and Administration members marched from the Skopje Criminal Court to the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, protesting over their low salaries and demanding 78 percent raises.

Their demands are in response to a Constitutional Court decision increasing high officials' salaries and cutting judiciary workers' bonuses.

According to Skopje Criminal Court union leader Dragan Josevski, the decision resulted in some officials' salaries now being six times higher than other employees' paychecks.

"Raises were given only to one side: the officials. In our case, the judges. Now the difference is one to six. No one, no matter how competent and knowledgeable they are, is worth six people," Josevski said.

Unionized workers also demanded the return of their 35 percent bonuses, which they said the Ministry of Finance has refused to pay despite a decision of the Judicial Council for them to be paid.

Independent Judicial Service Union leader Jasmina Velichkova said the Ministry of Finance had reallocated the money intended for their bonuses although according to the Law on the Court Budget they should be receiving at least 0.8 percent of GDP.

"We expect the Minister of Finance to show up, listen to our demands, and solve our problem," Velichkova said.

If the government followed the Law on the Court Budget, the protesters' demands would automatically be met, according to Court Administration Association vice-president Renata Gjeorgjievska.

"We are merely asking what is rightfully ours in the budget – the 0.8 percent of GDP legally earmarked for the judiciary. With it, we ourselves will meet our demands, that is, a 78 percent increase to the minimum wage and 35 percent bonuses every month," Gjeorgjievska said.

Trade Union of Administration, Judiciary and Citizens' Associations members, who began a nationwide strike Tuesday, were also protesting over pay and demanding 78 percent raises and the return of their bonuses. mr/