How much is the Macedonian salary worth amid growing inflation?
The authorities emphasize wage growth and reduced inflation (2.3% in July), while citizens and the opposition point to higher costs, rising loans and a proposal for a €600 minimum wage.
A heated debate over the economic situation and the value of wages is taking place on the domestic political scene, while rising costs and inflation squeeze household budgets.
Prime Minister Mickoski compared his Government to the previous administration and emphasized that wages are rising, pensions are higher and the economy is registering growth. He pointed to the reduction of inflation in July to 2.3% as one of the indicators.
On the other hand, data from the National Bank show that loans are growing faster than deposits: total loans on a monthly basis increased by 0.8%, and on an annual basis by 13.3%.
Citizens' real feeling
"Two minimum wages are not enough to make it through the month," citizens complain, adding that increased costs offset the gains from wage growth.
SDSM, meanwhile, has already announced that they will again submit to Parliament the draft law for a €600 minimum wage. Filipche pointed out that despite Prime Minister Mickoski's boasting of alleged economic successes and wage growth, citizens do not realistically feel those figures, but face rising costs and find it increasingly difficult to cover basic needs.
Previous data also indicate that the monthly average wage has been reduced by 1,100 denars, which further intensifies the debate about the real purchasing power of workers.
Photo: press material from the event
