First of May, International Labor Day
Unity, equality and solidarity!
Faced with a challenge that has not been seen in world history for a long time, celebrating the Labor Day we have to point out that the COVID-19 crisis has unequivocally shown that humanity can only survive by joint functioning of all states and societies. As never before, togetherness, solidarity and helping each other have become the most important principles for creation of both national and international social and economic relations.
The global health crisis has shown that people are equally vulnerable, regardless of wealth or social status, and the imperfections and shortcomings of all countries have come to light. The fight to eradicate the corona virus has shown that the strength of nations lies in unity, and solidarity is the most important link that will enable the survival of civilization as a whole.
At the national level, we are witnessing the role and effects of joint actions of all social partners in the country and the importance of the social dialogue as a way of creating measures and activities to get out of the crisis with as few human casualties as possible.
The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, as the most numerous and oldest trade union in the country, immediately after the outbreak of the infection has opened to its membership and all citizens and actively participated with its proposals to determine priorities and take concrete, operational measures to protect the life and health of the citizens and sustainability of economic and social flows.
Initially, we advocated for protection of the most vulnerable categories of the population, the chronically ill, adults, children, people with disabilities, but at the same time we supported the activities and measures of the state to maintain businesses as well.
Everything that the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia undertakes in this period, participating in the work of the Economic and Social Council, is exclusively and only in the direction of keeping job places as the first priority.
SSM made it very clear that it would not allow the burden of the health crisis to be placed only to the backs of the workers and their families.
We build our demands on the basis of fundamental human rights for equality of all citizens, we all have equal rights to life, health, liberty and existence.
SSM has focused all its capacity in this period, since the beginning of the crisis, on providing protection of workers' jobs, as well as protection of employment rights, regulated by laws and collective agreements.
We responded to each individual request, we were on the field at the invitation of the membership and we actively participated in the work of the Economic and Social Council. We will continue with these activities in the next period, at an even stronger pace. We are aware of our role and we do not exclude ourselves from responsibility.
Our position is clearly presented, we appeal and point out that the crisis and the state of emergency cannot be a reason to suspend social dialogue, collective bargaining or to reduce human and labor rights.
We are vigilantly following the decrees and decisions of the Government, we are reacting and we will react to all restrictions on workers' rights, which are not related to the health crisis. Labor rights are our target, and the consequences of the crisis should and must be borne by all stakeholders in society, both the representatives of capital and the representatives of labor, as two sides of the same coin. In addition, workers and their families must be provided with the necessary means of subsistence and protection of their health. As never before, the importance of collective health has come to the first lines, without which nations and the world cannot survive.
These days, more than ever, we are aware that only healthy workers can do business and be profitable in companies. Only healthy citizens are the creators of the socio-economic life and functioning of the states. The life and health of each individual without exception is important. In a pandemic, the vulnerability of all workers and employers has shown the need for social security and stability in society. We are witnessing that in a pandemic situation, public health is what bears the burden and responsibility for the health and survival of the nation.
In the distribution of capital and national wealth of the state, priority should be given to, and must have, social funds, which provide a social standard, health care and social security at the civilized social level for all citizens. In fact, all this has been the commitment of SSM so far, but the health crisis has brought to the surface all these values that many of us have forgotten or unjustifiably put on the margins of social action.
An economically stable country without corruption and poverty, with secured inclusion for all, is and will be our priority.
The health crisis is still ongoing, and world and national experts point out that the crisis will be present in the coming period as well. All people must be prepared for the challenges ahead, and if humanity wants to survive, it will have to change its habits, practices and priorities. Protecting the human environment, promoting education and science, developing and making full access to health care for all people internationally, will be a target for all societies. Online services and technologies will be present in all segments of life in all countries, including ours. The state will have to keep pace with the development of these technologies, which are the future and perspective of humanity.
But now and at this time, as long as the health crisis persists, our care and activities are aimed at protecting workers' rights and ensuring equality in the submission of the inevitable consequences, economic and social for all citizens without discrimination and division on any grounds.
We point out that we will be constructive, but also extremely brave and decisive in our demands, without the possibility of concessions, because the health crisis has shown and proved that our demands for healthy and safe working conditions, sustainable jobs, equality, secure existence, social security, are requirements that are characteristic and equally important for all people in the world, without exception, and the survival of humanity depends on their realization and security.
All of you who recognize our demands and commitments, please join us, we are stronger together, and our number will be an argument for more common sense for the real needs of life and the development of science and technology for the good of all, instead of the unscrupulous race for profit at any price that harms humanity and its development.
Long Live First of May 1st, the International Labor Day!
