SDSM MP Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska questioned Minister of Culture Zoran Ljutkov about the delayed salary payments and the lack of adherence to the collective agreement for cultural workers. The inquiry occurred during a parliamentary session focused on parliamentary questions.

Kostadinovska-Stojchevska referenced Ljutkov’s past involvement with SKRM during the signing of the collective agreement. She stated that she expected him to have raised any concerns about its legality at that time, given his stated commitment to justice and correcting wrongdoing. She questioned his current criticism of the agreement and his intentions regarding Article 65.

She pointed out that the collective agreement remains valid until a new one is signed, according to its final provision. Furthermore, she emphasized the annual adjustment to salaries in March, based on the rising minimum wage.

Kostadinovska-Stojchevska directly challenged Ljutkov on the reasons for the delay in issuing the new salary decisions. She noted that sample decisions were sent to cultural institutions on April 10, despite the large number of institutions involved (approximately 100, split between the Ministry of Culture and local self-government). She questioned the delay in sending the decisions, as well as the fact that the person who prepared them had not signed the sample decisions.

She questioned whether Ljutkov’s absence or staffing issues within the Ministry of Culture contributed to the delay. She inquired whether pending vacation time from the previous year was impacting the Ministry’s capacity or if other motives were at play.