SDSM proposes increasing minimum wage to 36,000 denars

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has announced plans to submit a legal solution to increase the minimum wage to 36,000 denars, approximately 600 euros. SDSM leader and MP Venko Filipce stated that the proposal aims to support citizens facing difficult economic conditions and rising household costs, particularly as electricity and heating bills increase during the autumn months.

To mitigate the impact on the private sector, the proposal includes a measure to subsidize the difference in social security contributions resulting from the wage increase. Filipce noted that many companies are currently facing liquidity issues and debt, and this measure is intended to prevent them from bearing the full cost of the raise. Funding for this initiative could be secured by reducing what Filipce described as unproductive budget expenditures.