Employees in North Macedonia who did not receive a 12.6% salary increase for March, as stipulated in the General Collective Agreement, are entitled to file lawsuits against their employers. The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) is offering free legal aid to these employees.

SSM President Slobodan Trendafilov highlighted this right for employees covered by the agreements who did not receive approximately 4,000 denars more in their March salaries. This includes educators, who received a 7% raise instead of 12.6%, and healthcare workers, who were promised a 5% raise but have not received it. It also includes public sector employees whose March salary was not increased by 12.6% according to the agreement, but linearly adjusted by roughly 1,800 denars due to the minimum wage adjustment.

Trendafilov expressed concern that some may be intentionally trying to burden the public budget through lawsuits by law firms and lawyers, noting that legal costs could significantly outweigh the amount owed to employees. He cited an example where legal fees up to the last instance could reach nearly 60,000 denars, far exceeding the value of one month’s salary increase that the employee is entitled to.

He reminded the public of a similar situation in 2008 at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where officials attempted to prevent employees from suing for a 10% allowance on their salaries. He noted that current employees in the Ministry of Internal Affairs received a 10% increase instead of the required 12.6%, opening the possibility for lawsuits to recover the remaining 2.6%.

Trendafilov also voiced concerns about potential pressure on the judiciary to reject these lawsuits, aiming to discourage further claims for salary increases outlined in collective agreements.

SSM urges compliance with legal obligations, advocating for workers to receive their deserved salaries rather than funds being diverted to legal entities or the state treasury for court fees.