Thisyearforthe irsttimetheFederationofTradeUnionsofMacedoniaandMinistryofLabourandSocialPolicy

decidedtoactpreemptivelytoprotectworkersfromhightemperatures–wassaidonJuly26,atapressconferencein

SSM,byPresidentZivkoMitrevski,PhD.andMinisterofLabourandSocialPolicyDimeSpasov.

It isa complexofmeasures,whicharemultidimensionaland includemoresubjects.Themeasuresareaimedat

properorganizationofwork,calculationofrisks,educationalmoments,recommendedlengthofworkinghours,manda-

torymeasures forair conditioning, protectiveequipment, special diets, etc.Wearepleased that SSM, theMinistryof

LaborandtheGovernmentcreated for the irst timeaspecialprogramforprotectionagainsthightemperatures,said

PresidentMitrevski.MinisterDimeSpasovinformedonrecommendationsandmeasuresfortheemployers.

PresidentMitrevskibriefed journalistsonSSM’sdraftmeasures for safetyandhealthatworkand the impactof

heatwavesonworkers’health.The indingsandinformationofSSM,whicharebasedonscienti icresearchofspecial-

izedinstitutionsinthecountry,con irmedthatduetothehightemperatures,riskiestjobsinhealthworkersinthecon-

struction, agriculture, electrical energy,metallurgy, transport / traf ic,mining (surfacemining), trade, food industry,

hygiene,textileindustry,military,police, ire ightersandgeneralemployeeswhoperform ieldwork.

T R A D E U N I O N S A N D M I N I S T R Y O F L A B O U R

A N D S O C I A L P O L I C Y F I G H T T O E N S U R E S A F E

W O R K I N G C O N D I T I O N S

MONTHLY

BULLETIN

Publication of Trade Unions of Macedonia

Monthly issue

No 19 July 2013

Minister Dime Spasov met the Presidency of SSM – Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia and Ministry of

Labor and Social Policy decided for the %irst time to act jointly and to take preventive measures for the workers

NEGOTIATIONSONTHECOLLECTIVEAGREEMENTFORTHE

PRIVATESECTOROFTHEECONOMYAREA

DuringJuneandJulyseveralmeetingswereheldbetweenSSMandOrganizationofEmployersofRMfor

thepurposeofadjustmentofpositionsfortheGeneralCAfortheprivatesectoroftheeconomyarea.

Bothsocialpartnersthatachievedhighcooperationlevelpresenttheirpositionsandstandpoints.

Themeetingwasattendedbytheleadershipofbothorganizations,leadbypresidents.

SSMrequiresoftheemployersasofthemostresponsible:

Totakepreventivemeasuresthatwilladdresstheproperorganizationofthework.

Tocontroltheworkingprocessandtoassessworkplacerisks;

ToInformworkersaboutthehightemperatures,heatwaves,harmfulUVrays,andtotrainthemonproviding irstaid

andotherproceduresandmeasurestobetakentopreventthepossibleconsequencesoftheimpactofheatontheirhealth;

Toavoidovertime,touseofrestbreakssetbylawandifnecessarytouseadditionalbreakswhenthetemperatureis

high,particularlybetween11.00and16.00pm;

Forthosewhoworkoutdoors,toprovidetemporarycoolingshelterintheshade;

Forthosewhoworkindoorstoprovidewellventilatedandair-conditionedworkplace;

Tomonitorthehealthofworkersandtoorganizemedicalexaminationsinaccordancewithlaw;

Toprovideandrequiretheuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment,torecommendwearingproperclothing,takingnec-

essaryquantitiesof luids,specialdietduringsummerandotherpreventivemeasures;

MinisterDimeSpasovexplainedthatstatelaborinspectorswillseektoimplementsecuritymeasuresandwillprovide

thefollowingrecommendations:

adequateventilationandpossiblyairconditioninginworkplaces

avoidingworkingoutdoorsduringthehottestperiodoftheday,from11to17pm

changesintheorganizationoftheworkprocess(introductionofshifts)

providingshelterswhereworkerscanrefreshthemselves,

frequentbreaksduringworkand luidconsumption,

workclothestobelightweightandofporousfabric,andwhenworkingoutdoorstowearsunglassesandhats,

preventivemeasuresforincreasedrisksofaccidentsatwork.

If theemployerdoesnotcomplywiththeDecisionof the inspectorof laborandfails tocorrect the irregularitiesand

de iciencies,undertheprovisionsoftheLawwillbechargedwitha ineof5.000to8.000eurosforlegalentityanda ineof

500to1.000eurosfortheresponsibleperson.In2012,whenMacedoniawashitbyaheatwaveofphase2(orangestage),

statelaborinspectorscarriedout80inspectionsperday,with30Decisionsonprohibitionofwork,from11to17am.The

Decisionsofstatelaborinspectorswererespectedbytheemployersandtherewerenocriminalproceedings.

ThisweekwasadoptedtheActionplanvaliduntiltheendof2013foreseesthateachoftheStateLaborInspectorsof

theHealthandSafetyareaspeci icallyhavetoconduct40monthlyinspectionsofcompanies,whichwilldeterminetheimple-

mentationoflawsandregulationswillsigni icantlyincreasecontrol,informedMinisterDimeSpasov.

P a g e 2

P a g e 3

INTERVIEWWITHZIVKOMITREVSKI,PhD.FOR

THE MACEDONIAN INFORMATION AGENCY

MIA

7/15/2013

ZivkoMitrevski,PhD.fortheradeunionmovementatEuropeanandglobal

level, includingthetradeunionmovement in thecountry,especially inrecentyears,paidspecialattentiontotheharassmentat the

workplace,i.e.mobbing.Recently,attheinitiativeoftheFederationofTradeUnionsofMacedoniatheLawagainstmobbingwasadopt-

ed,beingextremelyimportantfortheregulationofrelationsinworkingenvironments.Passingthebillisofhistoricalimportancebe-

causeitwillcontributetocreatinghealthyworkingenvironmentandrelaxedrelations,saysthepresidentofSSMZivkoMitrevski,PhD.

Whatwasthepreviousregulationtheproblemofmobbinginthecountryinthelegalframework?

-TherequirementsofSSMasaleaderindirectionofadoptionofnewspeciallawonmobbingfoundthelegalframeworkandlegallimi-

tationofthisphenomenonasinsuf icient,presentedwithonlyonearticleintheLaborLaw.Namely,inMacedoniaexistedlegalnorms

thatprohibitedandsanctionedprocedures(activities)thatenablemobbing:theConstitution,theLawonProtectionfromHarassment

intheWorkplace,LaborLaw,theCriminalCode,OHSLaw,theLawonEqualOpportunitiesforWomenandMen,theLawonProtection

againstDiscrimination,CollectiveAgreements,theLawforPeacefulResolutionofLaborDisputes.

Forexample,accordingtotheConstitution,thestatehasanobligationtoensurebasicrightsandfreedomsofpeopleandcitizens,rec-

ognizedininternationallaw.Articles10and11prohibitanyformoftorture,inhumanordegradingtreatment,punishmentandforced

labor.WithArticle25,everypersonisguaranteedtherespectandprotectionoftheprivacyoftheirpersonalandfamilylife,dignity

andreputation.Article32speci ies laborrightsand

employmentrights(everyonehastherighttowork,

to free choice of employment, occupational safety

and inancial support during unemployment. Each

jobisavailableforeveryoneunderequalconditions.

Every employee is entitled tobepaiddaily,weekly

andtoanannualleave).

In 2009 Labor Lawwas amended byArticle 9-a in

order legal regulation of mobbing in RM. Practice

hasshownthatthegoalisnotachieved,i.e.thereare

onlyafewcasesofmobbinginlitigationprocedure,

forwhichthereisno inalcourtdecision,etc.

However, due to the subtlety of the issue of mob-

bing,i.e.protectionfromphysicalandsexualharass-

mentintheworkplaceandprovidinghealthywork-

ing environment, Federation of Trade Unions of

Macedoniarequirednormativedevicesandaspecial

law,becausetheonly

article in the Labor Law, which only de ines and

prohibitsmobbing, complicatedrather thanprovid-

edopportunitytoresolvecasesofmobbing.Forthis

reason,SSMstartedinitiativeforpassingalaw-Lex

specialis,launchedonMayDayeventin2012,under

the motto: "To protect human dignity by passing

legislationtopreventharassment."

BesidesSSM’sactivities,whoelse iscreditedfor

theadoptiononthelawagainstmobbing?

-SSMproposedtextforthelawthatwasputonthe

agendaoftheEconomicandSocialCouncil.Themo-

tionwasacceptedbyESCandtheMinistryofLabor

andSocialPolicyinitiatedactivitiestoestablishthedrafttextofthelaw,involvingthesocialpartners.Ontheinitiativeanddrafttextof

thelawpleadedtheGovernment,andaftertheiracceptance,thebillwasdiscussedintheParliamentandpassed.ThepositionofSSM

wastocreatealegalframeworktotheproblemcalledmobbing,acceptedandsupportedbyourmembershipandthegeneralpublic.

ThedebatesandworkshopsonmobbingheldbySSM,andonthedebatesonthisissueorganizedbyotherentities,therewasajoint

idea-ourcountryneedsaspeciallawforharassment,becauseofthefrequencyofpsychologicalpressureonemployees,whichcarries

consequencesnotonly for theirhealth,butalso for theiremploymentstatus.This lawwasnecessary formitigating the impactand

resolvinglabordisputesthatresultedinharassment.Iamgratefultoallstakeholderswhocontributedprojectonthelawtobesuc-

cessfullycompleted.Thosearebranchtradeunions,womensections,theSSM’sOf iceonassistanceandeducationtovictimsofmob-

bing,manyNGOsandcivilsocietyorganizations,especiallytheworkinggroupsoftheMinistryofLaborandSocialPolicy,andIwould

mentionLiljanaPopovskaoftheparliamentarians,beingpartofallinitiatives.

Whatarethesanctionsprescribedbythelaw?

-Wearepleasedthatthereareseriouspenalties-from5.000to6.000euroforperformingmobbingupto4.000eurofortheresponsi-

bleperson.Employersareobligedtoinformworkersaboutthelawwithinthreemonths,andthecategoryandcompensationisintro-

duced.Passingthelawisveri icationofsocialdialogueinMacedonia.Amongotherthings,itisaveri icationofthelastyear’scampaign

oftheFederationofTradeUnionsofMacedonia.ThisisthethirdstrategiclawadoptedonSSM’sinitiative.

Intermsofstronglabormarketcompetition,global%inancialcrisis,

highunemploymentandpoverty,wearemissingthefactthat

healthyworkingenvironmentcanresultineconomyprogressand

wellbeing

Page4

Inwhatareasismobbingmostpresent?

-Most victims ofmobbing are in the textile industry, healthcare and administration. Regarding the type of pressures

around60%referstotheachievementofemployment,andthemostprevalentispsychologicalharassment,beforephys-

icalandsexualharassment.

AccordingH.Layman,someoftherecognizablesignsofharassmentareattacksonthequalityofworkandenvironment:

lackofassignmentsorrevocationofalltasksofthevictim,assigningmeaninglesstasks,assigningtasksunderknowledge

andquali icationsofthevictimtodiscreditthevictim,continuousandunjusti iedallocationofnewtasks,assigningtasks

thatareattackingspiritual,moralandreligiousintegrityofthevictim.Commonlyidenti iedattacksonhealthofworkers

bymobbingare–forcingtheworkertoworkthatdamagesthehealth;threatsofphysicalviolence;useofso-calledlight

force;physicalabuse;causingcoststoharmthevictim;physicaldamageinthehomeorworkplaceofthevictimandsex-

ualassault.

Theproject"Anti-MobbingNetworkMK"attemptedtomakeadifferencebetweenmobbingandclassicalviolationsof

laborrelation.Thecriteriawereasfollows:istherepsychologicalmaltreatment(psychologicalterror,psychologicalhar-

assment), is there relationship between unwanted behavior and psychological and physical health of the victim (it is

necessary to distinguish people with mental sensations regardless of the work environment, hypersensitive people

pronetodepression,peoplewhoareeasilyoffended).Perceivingoftheessentialelementsisnecessaryfortimely,appro-

priately,andproperlycharacterizationofthecontentiousbehavior,protectionofhealthandprivacyofemployee,obliga-

tionsconcerningtheprotectionofhealth,protectionofprivacy–collecteddata,processeddata,right todispositionof

data,mobbingduetoinappropriatehandlingofprivatedata,videosurveillance,overtime,nightwork,annualholidays.

ProtectionagainstmobbinganditsroleisimportantforSSM.Why?

-FederationofTradeUnionsofMacedoniaiscommittedtothebasichumanrighttoahealthyandsafeworkingenviron-

mentthatenablessocialandeconomicallyproductivelifeforemployees.InthisframeworkSSMemphasizestheneedfor

careandprotectionagainstpsychologicalpressure,harassment,intimidationontheworkplace-mobbing.Inconditions

ofmarketeconomyandhighcompetitioninthemarket,global inancialanddebtcrisis,highunemployment,thisrightis

neglectedandanadditional fact isomitted- thatonlynormalandhealthyworkenvironmentcanproducethedesired

businessresults,economicprogressandprosperityinthecountry.

Whatisyouradvicetotheworkerswhoarevictimsofmobbing?Consideringnewlegislation,doyouencourage

themtolaunchaninitiativetoprotectandenforcetheirrights?

-Weencourageemployeestoprotectandexercisetheirrightsunderthislaw.TheyshouldfeelfreetotalktotheSSM’s

legalrepresentatives, tobranchunionsandtotheOf ice forassistance.Weappealedtoemployerstorespectworkers'

rightsandtocontributetothecreationofrelaxedindustrialrelations.Wewilldoeverythingthelawnottoremainonly

onpaper,buttotrulyreviveitinduecourse.SSMwillconductadditionaltrainingofmembershiponmobbing.

Inordertoraiseawarenessamongworkersandgeneralpublicabouttheexistence,theneedforrecognitionandprotec-

tionfrommobbing,FederationofTradeUnionsofMacedoniahaspreventivecampaigns,educateworkersthroughsemi-

nars,workshopsandpaneldiscussions,organizedeitherindependentlyorinpartnershipwithMacedonianTradeunions

orwithEuropeanandInternationalTradeUnionorganizationssuchITUCandETUC, ILO,MinistryofLaborandSocial

Policy-DepartmentforEqualOpportunities,OrganizationofEmployersofMacedonia,FoundationsandNGOs.

FederationofTradeUnionsofMacedonia,TradeUnionofFinancialActivitiesofMacedoniaandtheOf iceforAssistance

andEducation toVictimsofMobbing, organized in2012 trainingandawarded20 licenses forAnti-mobbingAdvisors

whotodayworkonpreventionandsuppressionofmobbing.

TheOf iceforAssistanceandEducationtoVictimsofMobbinghasnumerouscases,mostlyofemployeesaged21-41,of

which97%haveconsequencesofthemobbing,andin48%therewasaterminationofemployment.

Whatistheroleoftheunionaspossiblecon%lictmediator?

-Inthepreventionofmobbing,ofparticularimportanceisthecooperationandcommunicationwiththetradeunion.Itis

necessary toapplycommunicationskillsespeciallyby theunionrepresentativeand theOHSrepresentative in theap-

proachtotheproblemofvictimsofmobbing.Itisnecessarytomediateinthepossiblecon lict,inorderinvolvedparties

tounderstandeachotherbetter,toanalyzetheeventsandtode inecommonpointsthatwillallowthemtocontinueto

worktogetherortomoveinmutualrespect.Duetothecomplexityandseverityofmobbingconsequences,primarilydue

damagedhealthofthevictimsandtheimpacttothewiderenvironment,mobbingbecomingsocialproblemandneedto

beproperlytreated.Oneofthenecessarystepstokeepsocialdialogueatalllevelsinordertomaintainemployabilityand

qualityofworkasthecommoninterestofallsocialpartners.

InterviewforRadioFreeEurope7/28.2013

MITREVSKI-PRICESGOUP,SOSHOULDTHEWAGES

Onlyabout3.2%ofemployeesreceiveasalaryabove30.000MKD.Ifweconsidertheamountoftheconsumptionbas-

ketof32.571MKD,it isobvioustheserious lackof fundstomeet theneedsofa familyof four,saysthePresidentof

FederationofTradeUnionsofMacedonia,ZivkoMitrevskiPhD.inaninterviewforRadioFreeEurope.

Mr.Mitrevski,howwouldyouratethestateofworkers'rightsinMacedoniacomparedtotheothercountriesin

theregion?

ThefactisthatRepublicofMacedonia,liketherestofthecountries,islivinginconditionsofsevereglobal

economic,�inancialanddebtcrisis,anditwasachallengeforthesocialpartners,toreallysitdownandtalk

seriously in terms of building strategies, primarily on providing workers’ standard, providing labor and

materialsafetyofworkersandprospectsregardingthefutureexistence,intermsofmaintainingthepen-

sion system. In this sense, we reached an agreement that in such circumstances we cannot allow mass

�iringofworkers,wecannotallowreductionofwagesinthecountryandalso,anotherstrategicgoalwasto

keeptheamountofthepensionlimit,andthosewerebasicallythethreepillarsoftheoverallstrategy.So,if

wemakeseriousanalysisonthesituationinRepublicofMacedoniaandbeyond,wewillseethatjobsecuri-

tyisgravelyconcerned,thatinmanycountriespensionlimitisincreased,andthatthereisdrasticreduc-

tionofwagesto30%,whichmeansthatunliketheotherstates,weprovidedmaterialandsocialsecurity

forworkersandwemanagedtheeffectsofthisextraordinarycrisisnottore�lectedinthatmanner.That

doesnotmeanthatthestatehasnoproblems,wagesinthecountryarelow,wehaveincreasedpricesand

itisareallyseriouschallenge-howthesocialpartnerswillmanagewiththisissue.

Informationwasreleasedrecently that inalmosthalfyearnoemployerwas �inedfornotpayingtheminimumwage.Dotheyreally

respectthelawonminimumwage?

Well,itwasalongdebateanditwasnotmadebyaccident.Wemadeahistoricachievementthatwasn’tmadeinMacedoniabefore–theLawon

MinimumWagewasadopted.Wediscussedalotontheamountoftheminimumwageandifthatamountwillsuittheemployerswhoareorare

notwillingtopaysuchahighsalary.Thetimespentindiscussionsprovedthatwewererightwhenwede�inedsuchaprinciple,nottobetiedtoa

speci�icamount,buttomakeit39.6%oftheaveragewage.Thelateststatisticsdeniedthepartthatisoftencriticized-thatincertainsegments,

orespeciallyintextile,leatherandshoeindustrytheamountwillnotbereached,thatthegraceperiodisrunningandthattheamountisfarlower

comparedtothede�inedamount,or6.859MKDvs.8.050MKD.However,recentdatahaveshownthatthetrueaveragenetsalaryintextilesis

10.804MKD,inclothingproductionandleatherindustryis10.490MKDMKD.Thismeansthatevenintheseconditionswehaveonemorestep

forwardintermsoftheminimumwage,becauseweknowthatrightitis8.050MKD,meaningtheseanalyzescon�irmedourpositionthatinthese

brancheswhichareconsideredtobethemostproblematic,westeppedevenforward,nottomentionthatthedeterminationoftheamountofthe

minimum wage, whichbeforethe lawwas 4.500MKDto 5.300 MKD,provided wage increasesof 30% in other brancheswhere thecollective

agreementsautomaticallycometoincreasethelevelofthecoef�icient,providingthemajorityofbrancheswithincreasedwages.Soitwouldreal-

lybescandalousifthissalaryof8.050MKDcouldnotbepaid.Theassessmentwasthatthissalaryispaidandthatcanbepaid.Therewerecer-

tainanomalieswhereanumberofemployersintendingperhapstocircumventthose2.000MKD,andtheworkershadanobligationtoreturnit,

orthose2.000MKDweregivenincouponsforcertainstores.IthinkthatwiththecampaignwehadaftertheadoptionoftheLawonMinimum

Wage,withthestructurethatwehaveintheentireterritoryofthecountry,andonthebasisofmutualengagementwiththelaborinspection,the

MinimumwageLawisbeingimplementedandthereisnodrasticdisruptions.

Istheminimumsalaryof8.050MKDsuf�icient?Additionally,accordingtotheStateStatisticalOf�ice,almosthalfofthosewhoreceive

salary,itislowerthan12.000MKD.IsthereaspaceandneedforwageincreasesinMacedonia?

Thereisabsolutelyaneedtoincreasewagesinthecountry,giventheforecastontheincreaseinpricesoffood.Thereisonlyonegooddatashow-

ingthatthelevelofproductioninRepublicofMacedoniadidnotfelldrastically,butgrewby2.9%inconstructionwherewehavedramatically

increasedproductivityandproduction.Ontheotherhand,thedataalsoshowthat80.000workersreceivesalarysomewhereintheamountof

theminimumwage.InthesethreesectorsthatImentionedearlier,thesalaryisalreadyover10.000MKDandaround400.000workersreceive

wagesfrom12.000to20.000MKD,whileonly3.2%ofemployeesreceiveasalaryabove30.000.Ifweconsidertheamountoftheconsumption

basketof32.571MKD,itisobviousthatthereisseriouslackoffundsthatshouldmeettheneedsofafamilyoffouranditisanissuethatweoften

discuss andweshould starta negotiation process andto increase salaries in thecountry.We started withthe process where we have signed

collectiveagreementsandwherewehavehealthytradeunionorganizations.Wehavearound12branchcollectiveagreements,wheretheadop-

tionoftheLawonMinimumWagesincreasedwages,butwewilldiscussonthisafterthecrisis.Ibelievethatnextyearmayhaveadifferentwe

willhavespacetotalkonincreasingofthelowestsalaries-thecategoryof80.000workers.

Youmentionedtheconsumptionbasket,somaybeyoushouldbelouderinitspublication?

Firsttimein20years,SSMpublishedthesedata.Theyarenotrandomdata,andweremadeforthepurposeofmakingmorelaws,andtheywere

thebasisforustoaskformorelawssuchastheLawonMinimumWage.Thebasketwasthebasefornegotiationsonsigningofcollectiveagree-

mentsandtheirconclusion.Thus,wearetheonlyonespublishingtheamountofconsumptionbasket,unfortunately.Wepromoteitonourweb-

site,ineconomicmagazines,inconsultingcompaniesandpressconferences.Unfortunately,itisrarelymentionedbyotherentities,eventhough

itisbenchmarkforbuildingstrategiesindealingwithparticulareconomicsituation.

Mr.Mitrevski,youarebeingaccusedofbeing"yellowunion"andthatyouaretooclosetotheGovernment.Howyourespondtothese

accusations?CantheTradeUnionbesuccessfulwithoutthegovernment?

Thefactthatthereareseveralhistoricallawsadoptedthatdidnotexistbefore,isaproofthatifwewere"yellowunion"wewoulddoanything.

So,we'vemanagedtostopmass�iringofworkers,wehavemanagedtokeepthelevelofwages,we'vemanagedtomaintainthepensionlimit,we

managedtoadopttheMinimumWageLaw,theLawofEuropeanWorkers’Councils-thecorethatallowsthereturnofworkersparticipation,the

LawonMobbing.Wealsostartedproceduresforinstitutionalizingthepositionoftradeunionsatlocallevelwithsigningofagreementstoforma

seriesoflocaleconomicandsocialcouncils.Thesearetangibleresultsthatnoonecanhideandnoonecandeny.Weissuedabookletonthenew

bene�itsinLaborLawfrom2010onwards.Westoppedtheprocessofruiningoftheworkers'rightsinthecountry,weprovidedtheimplementa-

tionofthe19EUdirectives,andweprovidedprotectiontoseveraltargetgroups–womenandpregnantwomen.Wealsoprovidedsomething

thatcausedamazementregardingimplementationoftheDirectiveoninformationandconsultation.Namely,withtherecentchanges inLabor

Lawweevenmanagedtheemployerstodeclarethesalaryinjobannouncements,also,iftherearemorethantwoworkerswhoarenotregis-

tered,thecompanywillbeclosedandtheworkerswillreceive70%ofthesalary.Thesearespeci�icactionsthatcriticsshouldanalyzeandrecon-

sider.So,theresultsspeakaboutSSM.WealsobecameassociatemembersoftheEuropeanTradeUnionConfederation,aswellasintheInterna-

tionalConfederationofTradeUnionsandallofitisaresultofouractivities.Intermsofcrisis,whereverthereareawareandaccountablesocial

partnerswhoarewillingtotalkaboutproblems,toselectedstrategyintheinterestofworkers,citizensandstate,theycanreallyagree,andnot

onlytoimplementpuredemagogicpoliciesliketradeunionprotests,butwithnoconcreteresults.So,thestrategyisdifferentandwithinthree

yearsitgavedramaticresultsthatcouldbeanalyzedbythosewhocritic.

Page5

PRESENTATIONOFILOSTUDYONYOUTHANDLABOUR

MARKETINMACEDONIA

This study provides data and basis for policy-making for easier integration of youth in the labor market, it was stated at today's

presentation of the study "Crossing of young women and men in the labor market in the country" at the hotel "Arka " organized

by the International Labor Organization.

The coordinator of the ILO Emil Krstanoski informed that the study was prepared by ILO, State Statistical Of�ice and other our

local institutions.

The objectives are gathering detailed information on the situation of youth in the labor market and quantifying the relative

ease or dif�iculty of entering the labor market, determining the critical questions on the challenges of youth employment and

understanding the "blockade", providing indicators for monitoring and evaluation of employment policies for youth; determin-

ing areas for development or revision of policies and targets for development programs and improving the capacity of national

statistical institutions.

Leaders of Trade Unions at the meeting

The same study has been conducted in 28 countries, in 20 the work has been completed, while Macedonia is �irst country

where the study is completed, said Sara Elder, Chief Technical Advisor of ILO. It shows that the local institutions have large

capacities, but of course there's more space for their advancement.

Page 6

TheleadersofMacedonianTradeUnionsatpromotionoftheILOStudy–

(fromleft)SlobodanAntovski,ZivkoMitrevski,PhD.andMirjanaAndreska

Butontheotherhandtherewerereductionsinworkers'rights.Therewasareductionintheperiodwhenredundantworkers

receivecompensation,problemswithmaternityleaveforwomenwithpathologicalpregnancy...ifyoumakeabalance,areyou

satis�iedoftheresults?

There is no joy in the trade union work. Any job associated with problems and solving of problems cannot give you pleasure, if you live in

a crisis, if unemployment is high, if you have constant problems of different nature. Satisfaction is part of what I mentioned earlier, in

passing historic legislation, in providing protection for a huge category of workers vs. reduction in rights for a small category of workers.

But if we put it on a scale, we will see the results that have been achieved, those three pillars I mentioned, I really can say that to a large

extent, the programs and objectives of SSM and af�iliated trade unions have been met and given the quali�ications that we get lately, our

achievements are example for the other trade unions. I repeat, no massive layoffs in terms of crisis, no cuts in salaries, no increase in the

retirement age, no vulgar preferential treatment to the �lexibility of the workforce, job security, signed Collective Agreement for the pri-

vate sector with no rights reduced, I really consider that we go in the direction of realization our programs and goals.

Srgjan Stojancov

P a g e 7

JOINTPROJECTOFTHELAWYERSASSOCIATION,SSMANDORMFORTRAINING

OFPERSONSRESPONSIBLEFORPROTECTIONAGAINSTMOBBING

AssociationofLawyersofRM,theFederationofTradeUnionsofMacedonia

andOrganizationofEmployersofMacedoniaorganized"Trainingofpersons

responsibleforapplyingtheLawonPreventionofHarassmentintheWork-

place."

Thetrainingwillbeheldon3September2013inthepremisesofSSM.

The introductory speech will be made by President of Lawyers; Association

Dr.TitoBelicanec.

Mr.AngelDimitrov,PresidentofOEM,willpresenton"Trainingforemploy-

ers tomeet theobligationsprovidedfor inArticle38of theLawonPreven-

tionofHarassmentintheWorkplace."

ZivkoMitrevski,PhD.presidentofSSM,willhaveapresentationon"Training

ofemployerstoprotectemployees'rights."

MA Maja Ristova, project team member of SSM's Of�ice for Assistance and

EducationtoVictimsofMobbing,willspeakon"Identifyingharassmentinthe

workplaceanddeterminingofthecriteriafortheselectionofnegotiatorsand

internallawofmediationprocedure".

Stojan Trajanov, lawyer, will speak on "Model - acts for better implementa-

tionoftheLawonPreventionofHarassmentintheWorkplace."

Theo�ilTomanovic,retiredjudge,willpresenton"Model-actsandotherdoc-

uments regulating the procedure before employers and proceedings before

theCourtforprotectionagainstharassmentintheworkplace."

Arepresentativeof"MacedonianTelecom"willtalkaboutthepracticeexperi-

encesofMakedonskiTelekomJSCSkopjeonprotectionagainstharassment.

MEETINGWITHAMBASSADORINNATOMARTINTRENEVSKIPresident of

theFederation

of Trade Un-

ions of Mace-

donia, Zivko

Mitrevski,

PhD. on July

30 had a

meeting with

His Excellency

the Ambassa-

dor of the

Republic of

Macedonia in

NATO, Martin

Trenevski.

At the of�icial

meeting was

discussed

about Europe-

an and NATO

integration

processes in

Macedonia,

withspecialemphasisontheimportanceofMacedonia’sintegrationinNATOandbene�itsforMacedoniaandit’scitizen'sout

ofthisprocess.

PresidentofSSMexplainedSSM’spositionintermsofEuropeanandNATOintegration,withemphasisonthecontinuedsup-

portthatSSMgivesinMacedonia’sEuropeanandNATOintegration.

Of key interest to Macedonian citizens and workers is quick access to these processes, given the bene�its that they would

bring,especiallyineconomic,politicalandsecurityaspect.

Also,additionalactivitieswerearrangedthatwillsupport the introductionofTradeUnionmembershipontheneedto join

NATOandEU.

COLLECTIVEAGREEMENTSIGNEDBETWEENTHEMINISTRYOF

DEFENCEANDTRADEUNIONOFDEFENCE

Minister of Defense Talat Xhaferi and the

President of the Trade Union Defense and

Security Risto Ajtov signed the Collective

Agreementforemployeesinthissector.The

newCollectiveAgreementoftheMinistryof

Defense includes provisions on employees'

rights - insurance, payroll, reporting, union

organizing, liability, education, vocational

training.

Ministrypaysgreatattentiontoemployees'

rights, and they are continuously working

onimprovementofworkingconditionsasa

prerequisite for greater motivation and

performanceofof�icialdutiesandresponsi-

bilities,saidMinisterTalatXhaferi.

Regardingthepaymentoffees, legalframe-

workisstrengthened,andincaseofunpaid

fees employees have legal protection, said

President Risto Ajtov.During signing of the

Collective Agreement the President Ajtov

grantedMinisterXhaferiwithawardforhis

contribution to strengthening of the social

dialogue between the Ministry of Defense

andSOB.

SEMINARFORSGIP'SWOMENMEMBERS

SomeoftheparticipantsattheseminarIntheframeworkoftheCampaignoftheunionsinSoutheastEurope,whicharemembersof

theWorldUnionofConstruction,ForestryandWoodIndustry-BWI,"Todayandalways-decentworkforwomen",theUnionofCon-

struction,IndustryandPlanningoftheRepublicofMacedonia-SGIPonJune29,2013inthevillageSiricinoorganizedaseminaron

"Legalregulationsforequalworkformenandwomen."

LecturerwastheSecretaryofSGIP,BlagunaStojkoskaandonthetopic"Preventiveprotectionofwomenagainstosteoporosis"lec-

turerwasProfessor.SnezanaMarkovskafromtheAssociationofProtectionofosteoporosisofRepublicofMacedonia.

Theseminarwasattendedbynumerousmembers,totalof172womenwhodiscussedtheimplementationofbetterworkingcondi-

tionsandimprovedemploymentrights.

Ofparticularimportanceistheparticipationofyoungwomen(60).

Intheframeworksoftheseminararecreationalactivitywasheld"niftywoman"throughwhichwomenhaveshowntheirdomestic

productsandskills.

Page8

PresidentRistoAjtovandMinisterTalatXhaferi

CONTACTBlagojceKrstevski,Associateforinformation

tel/fax++38923225-937email:b.krstevski@ssm.org.mk

Someoftheparticipantsattheseminar