Ohrid craftsmen request closures after paushal hikes
Ten artisans filed closure requests within 30 days as monthly flat-rate fees rise sharply, prompting fears of bankruptcies and growth of the grey economy.
In a single 30-day stretch, ten craftsmen in Ohrid submitted formal requests to close their businesses after recent legal changes that sharply raised monthly paushal (flat-rate) contributions — for some, the fees have more than doubled.
The affected artisans say the new provisions do not function like ordinary taxes but instead push small businesses toward insolvency. Many owners decided to file closure requests to avoid the sudden leap in fixed monthly charges.
Risks of moving activity off the books
According to Bogoeski, the changes are likely to widen the gray economy: instead of registering with unemployment offices, many craftsmen are shifting their work into private homes. By deregistering their firms, they avoid high paushal fees and contributions while continuing to operate "off the books," he warned, which will remove official oversight of their turnover.
Those who try to keep their shops legal are forced to pass the increased costs onto customers, the craftsmen say. That creates a risk of a fresh wave of price rises — residents of Ohrid and, potentially, the rest of the country could soon face higher prices for basic artisan services.
The financial shock comes at an especially unfavorable moment: winter is approaching, the tourist season is over, and small businesses in Ohrid were already struggling to make ends meet.
Photo: press material from the event
