On International Workers’ Day, the Federation of Trade Unions of North Macedonia organized a major protest in Skopje, advocating for improved labor standards and wages. Representatives from various trade union organizations marched through the capital to the parliament and government building under the slogan, “We fight for wages, we don’t beg.”
During the gathering, Slobodan Trendafilov, President of the Federation of Trade Unions, addressed the participants, citing economic data to underscore labor concerns. He stated that, according to figures from the Public Revenue Office, half of the working population earns less than €600, and one-third live below the poverty line, indicating that current measures are insufficient.
The central demands of the protest included raising the national minimum wage to €600, enforcing existing collective bargaining agreements, and establishing better working conditions across the country. The day saw a parallel event when the Independent Trade Union for Education, Science, and Culture held a conference focused on labor policies. This prompted the Federation’s president to criticize groups who favored conferences over public action, suggesting that May Day should not be treated as an event for private, expensive gatherings.
The public holiday status of the day contributed to notable traffic patterns, with reports indicating significant congestion at border crossings with Greece due to the three-day weekend and new EU regulations. Over a 24-hour period, approximately 14,000 passengers crossed through the Bogorodica and Evzoni border crossings.
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