monthly bulletin - Сојуз на синдикатите ......monthly bulletin publication of...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
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PresidentRistoAjtovandMinisterTalatXhaferi
CONTACTBlagojceKrstevski,Associateforinformation
tel/fax++38923225-937email:[email protected]
Someoftheparticipantsattheseminar