WEREN'T THE WORKERS PRODUCTIVE!? – AND THE DATA SAYS THE OPPOSITE.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia reacts sharply to all attempts by bosses and their chambers and organizations to underestimate and insult the productivity of Macedonian workers.

According to data from the National Bank, published by Bloomberg Adria, it is evident that net profits per employee in Macedonian companies in 2024 recorded a significant increase compared to 2023.

These data unequivocally prove the high productivity of workers, and expose the false narrative that "workers were not productive" and therefore there was no opportunity for wages to increase.

• In the construction sector, net profit per employee is 600,000 denars (almost 10,000 euros).

• In trade, transport, warehousing and catering – 300,000 denars per employee.

• In industry – 200,000 denars per employee.

•In information and communications – 400,000 denars per employee.

•In professional and administrative activities – 300,000 denars per employee.

•At the level of the entire corporate sector – an average of 300,000 denars per employee.

These figures show that each worker not only earns his own salary, but additionally:

• provides the salary of directors and managers,

• pays for the boss’s jeep and luxurious life,

• provides money for investments,

• and in turn generates a profit for the boss equal to about one annual worker’s salary.

While bosses pay salaries and bonuses in the hundreds of thousands of euros – as Bloomberg Adria recently reported, with the highest salary of over 320,000 euros for one boss and over 700,000 euros for the three highest paid, – Macedonian workers live on the lowest and most miserable salaries in the region.

Therefore, anyone who claims that Macedonian workers are not productive is directly insulting their intelligence, labor, and dignity.

The truth is simple: workers are productive, but wages are low!

SSM has repeatedly pointed out that:

There are no more excuses for not increasing the minimum and other wages!

No more manipulations with “unproductiveness”!

It is time for an urgent and significant increase in wages in all sectors, because profits are the result of the labor of workers, not the bosses!

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia will continue to fight for a decent wage for every worker!