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HIGH LEVEL CONFERENCE - NEW LABOR LAW, HARMONIZATION OF NATIONAL WITH EUROPEAN LABOR LEGISLATION

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia today organized a High Level Conference on "New Labor Law, Harmonization of National with European Labor Legislation".

The Conference was attended by the Presidents of the branch trade unions affiliated in CCM, representatives of the social partners, high level officials of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC),  Mr. Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), ITUC Special Adviser, Mr Jaap Wienen, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Zaev, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Ms. Mila Carovska, ILO Country Representative, Mr. Emil Krstanovski, the President of UNASM, Mr. Slobodan Antovski, the President of BCM, Mile Boskov, Labor Law proffessors, PhD, Todor Kalamatiev and PHD Lazar Jovevski as well as other important stakeholders in society.

Caption 1. Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mila Carovska, Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, ETUC General Secretary, Mr. Luca Visentini, ITUC Special Adviser, Jaap Wienen, President of CCM, Darko Dimovski.

Caption 2. Presidents of branch unions affiliated in CCM and representatives of social partners

Caption 3. Participants on the Conference

At the conference, the President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, Darko Dimovski emphasized that the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia is the oldest and most numerous trade union confederation in the country.

Caption 4. President of CCM, Darko Dimovski

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.

We accept in full the ETUC Manifesto 2019- 2023 that the Unions have a responsibility to defend democracy and European social dialogue model as a highest achievement in the union movement.

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.

The cooperation with the ETUC and ITUC is of a great importance for us, and your support support for our Confederation is an indication that we are on the right path.

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.

The presence of the high level officials form the ETUC and ITUC on this Conference and their support to realization of our activities is a motivation for the unions to keep fighting for promoting labor legislation. 

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.

The ETUC General Secretary, Luca Visentini said that the European Trade Union Confederation is very happy about the opportunity to be in Skopje today and to show solidarity to the trade unions in the country. We regret the European Council's decision not to open accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia and we express our solidarity with workers and their unions. As ETUC we have made very clear our position towards the European institutions for the process to be reopened, and at the same time we encourage the Government, trade unions and social partners in the country to improve mainly in two areas.

Caption 5. ETUC General Secretary, Mr. Luca Visentini

Caption 6. President of CCM, Darko Dimovski and the ETUC General Secretary, Luca Visentini

The first concerns the economy, levels of employment and unemployment in the country, despite the very relevant efforts to increase GDP and raise the minimum wage, but this is not the needed level.

There is a need for greater investment, creation of more jobs, and it is also necessary to set certain conditions when it comes to foreign investors coming into the country to exploit cheap labor and they need to respect the rules just as they do in the countries where they come from.

There is a need to create more quality job opportunities for young people not to leave the country, but there is an also need to adjust wages and keep them at an adequate level as the living wage and it is also necessary to strengthen collective bargaining especially in the private sector.

The second concerns the reform of the Labor Law. We welcome the ongoing discussion in this regard, but at the same time we recommend keeping the positive aspects of the current Law and to use the revision process to strengthen social dialogue, to improve the coverage of collective bargaining and to fill the gaps that still exists in the Labor Code in line with the European Directives and ILO Conventions.

Finally I want to than to the President of CCM, Darko Dimovski and the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia for the invitation and the opportunity to participate in the Conference. The European Confederation of Trade Unions will stay at your disposal for any support and help in future if needed.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stressed that social dialogue delivers results, but it should not stop here. The new Labor Law has been discussing for two years, and we even call it the "Workers’ Small Constitution" because of its importance, and through a careful, dedicated and patient way we have reached a successful stage for all parties.

I look forward to finding solutions to seasonal work, home and domestic work, fixed-term work, teleworking, equal treatment for men and women, and the need to abandon positive discrimination for women, as well as for full regulation of night work, and employment contracts for young people.

Caption 7. The Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev and the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mila Carovska

The Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Mila Carovska emphasized that the new Labor Law is being prepared in line with the international standards and promotes European labor rights and social dialogue.

Certain versions of the Law have been discussed by all social partners. In the preparation of the legal solution we also included the academia dealing specifically with labor law issues. I expect the dialogue to continue in the coming period and to adopt a law that will be in the interest of all.

Following the Conference, a Press Conference was held

Links to the statements:

1. Изјава од Лука Висентини (Statement of Mr. Luca Visentini) 

2.Изјава Дарко Димовски (Statement of Mr. Darko Dimovski)

3.Изјава Зоран Заев (Statement of Mr. Zoran Zaev)

4.Изјава Мила Царовска (Statement of Ms. Mila Carovska)

5.Инсерти од Конференцијата 

 

 

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