Today in the headquarters of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, a working meeting between the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski and the members of the Presidency of CCM was held.
In their addresses, both Presidents emphasised that the successful economy and development of North Macedonia are closely linked to labor relations regulation and the solid and sustainable labor and legal framework for the workers.
Address of the President of CCM, Darko Dimovski
Distinguished President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski,
Distinguished representatives of the Cabinet of the President,
Dear colleagues, Presidents of the Unions affiliated in CCM,
On behalf of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia and in my personal name at the very beginning let me thank you for the visit to the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia which is the first in the history of the trade union movement.
We hope that such meetings will continue in the future and since they are in the interest of the workers who are citizens of our country, for which we need to build a brighter future together.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia is the oldest and most numerous trade union confederation in our country.
The activities of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia are focused on: economic and social development; social dialogue and collective bargaining; protection of workers' rights; international cooperation and, of course, the creating a modern union in which workers will have trust and through whom they will exercise their labor rights.
CCM is the only representative national Confederation in the country.
As a representative trade union and current social partner in the country, with its representatives CCM participates in the work of the parliamentary committees, the Economic and Social Council, the National Council for European Integration, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health at Work, the National Coordination Body for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, the Coordination Body for Corporate and Social Responsibility, Managing Boards of: Employment Agency of the Republic of Macedonia, Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, and the Health Fund.
CCM is a signatory of the GCA for the private sector, and negotiations to sign a new GCA for the private sector are in the process.
As a representative trade union in the public sector, CCM stands for the signing of the GCA for the public sector.
The unions affiliated in CCM have signed 15 collective agreements at branch level.
Of great importance is our responsibility to defend, respect and promote democratic values, workers' and human rights.
We are facing with many trade union challenges both on national and European level.
CCM is a full member of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and their support for our Confederation is an indication that we are on the right path.
We are aware that decent and equal living and working conditions for all without discrimination are achieved through creation and provision of real and sustainable jobs, social security, healthy and safe working conditions, poverty alleviation, protection of the environment and improved quality of life.
Together with the Government, employers and trade unions we have shown that we have agreed many times together on many issues, but many things are still open and we are not satisfied as workers' representatives.
In a year in which we discuss workers' rights and dignity of labor in the new Labor Law and the General Collective Agreements, it is extremely important for all workers to contribute and play their part in the process, but also to remind that no one can decide for the workers without us..
These issues are always a challenge for us, and therefore in this period, together with the social partners, through the social dialogue we work on the adoption of a new Labor Law, new Law on Occupational Safety and Health at Work, and it is worth noting that in the last period we have achieved a continuous increase in minimum wage through the social dialogue and cooperation with the government and employers.
We expect this to be the basis for increasing the wages of all workers.
At the same time, we point out that all economic and social problems and challenges in the country cannot and should not be resolved solely through the backs of the workers.
Social security and democratic values are assumptions that will keep the young population in our country, despite the trend of brain drain characteristic of the recent period.
The Republic of North Macedonia is a candidate country for EU membership, and despite the challenges that have been present lately, for us, this option is the only acceptable for our European position in terms of our position, but also in our need to accept European values for democracy and development.
Therefore, we believe that the new Labor Law should incorporate the European trends in the labor legislation.
In this regard we demand:
- fixed- term employment contracts only in exceptional objective conditions and for up to 1 year
- 38 hours working week,
- maternity leave of 12 months,
- consistent observance of the right to salary regulation by law and CA.
- full realization of the right to annual leave
- respect of the ILO conventions on freedom of association and organization
- Promoting collective bargaining and social dialogue at all levels.
The stated demands and commitments of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia are progressive, developmental and motivating.
We propose joint and equal participation of all social partners in organizing economic and social development through social dialogue and negotiation.
For the strategies, policies, and decisions we make together, everyone's responsibility will be greater, and accountability will be mandatory.
From here we urge you, as a President of this country to take care of all citizens, and especially workers and their workers' rights, and to prevent harmful laws that will directly contribute to the deteriorating of the socio- economic position of workers.
We remind you that the strength of trade unions lies in their numbers, training, competence, but also in their solidarity, support and joint action with you and all relevant Social Partners.
Only together can we achieve our common goal and protect human dignity and workers’ values.
Below is the text of President Pendarovski’s address.
Dear President of the Federation, Darko Dimovski,
Distinguished presidents of branch unions,
Dear media representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I just cannot believe this is the first visit ever in history. On the one hand, we say we are at a historic point, on the other, I say it openly in front of the cameras, it is shameful for the state, for everyone before me in any capacity, if this is true, I suppose it is a checked fact, not to come to the oldest and largest trade union in the country, but to talk that you are working for the rights of the citizens and the people living in this country; it simply does not go hand in hand.
Thank you for the opportunity to address you, here in your seat, and I would like to apologize at the outset for not being able to visit you sooner. I have been in this post for six and a half months and I do not want to justify the tight agenda and the timetable we have had especially in foreign policy terms, as you know what was going on there. My mistake is, I should have come earlier, but even now I think it is not too late and what matters is that I am not coming in the pre-election period, my elections are not ahead and that means I do not get points for talking to you. Here I had the opportunity to meet with the first people of this organization, at least 15-16, it is an organization that unites Macedonian unions and protects and fights for the improvement of workers’ rights, and thus directly contributes to the development on the country. It is clear that without regulated labor relations, without firm and sustainable, and I would say predictable labor-legal framework for workers, we cannot have a successful economy, no developed state, no happy citizens indeed. As our society went through various stages of transformation, through a long and slow transition process, which is unfortunately not yet complete, this union also adapted to the new social trends and to the change of ideological matrix in order to find its place in the democratic environment, in the developing democratic society, in the liberal economy that needed intensive growth. Practically, the power and role of the union in socialism has now been changed and channeled to another level, and I believe that at last both public perception and expectations are appropriate to the present moment and capacity. Of course, most importantly, despite all the changes and turmoil, the unions are organizations with a strong and stable infrastructure that actively participates in the adoption of legal solutions, representing the rights and interests of workers. It is the trade union that is the government’s partner in adopting the new labor law. I sincerely congratulate you on the acceptance of your twenty proposals. There are still many quality proposals that the government should consider and I believe there are opportunities for further negotiation and bargaining. Employers undoubtedly have their own visions and understandings and protect their interests, that is logical, and their demands are to be taken into account. But I say that we as a state are mature enough and ready, both legally and in practice, to provide European standards when it comes to workers’ rights. Despite the high unemployment rate, we are witnessing a labor shortage in some scarce professions and occupations and we must protect our workers and offer them optimal conditions to stay in the home country rather than work abroad. We just have to invest the maximum in human capital.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You know that my function is limited in terms of competences and executive solution capabilities. We are not a presidential system, but according to my powers and capabilities, of course, I would like to assure you that I am here to listen to you in order to contribute to these processes later, to facilitate dialogue and cooperation with the authorities, to listen to every initiative, every proposal, every suggestion in order to help find the best solutions. I want to assure you that you have an ally in me in achieving your goals, i.e. in the protection of workers’ rights. I must emphasize that besides the adoption of improved legislation that will enable the realization of workers’ rights and the protection of those rights from possible violations, it is absolutely necessary the legal solutions in practice to be implemented, i.e. to have consistent implementation.
However, I would like to assure you that without hearing the voice of the workers, without hearing their representatives, or the unions, it will be impossible to build a just society and in that respect I thank you for the chance to see you today, to hear each other.
Thank you.
