After Army raise, police demand higher pay

Police officers in North Macedonia are demanding pay increases after the government announced a planned raise for the Army. The Macedonian Police Union called on the government to open a discussion about salaries across all security services, saying police pay does not match the responsibility and risks of the job.

Union: urgent, systemic measures needed

“You cannot demand maximum sacrifice while offering minimal compensation! You cannot demand professionalism, loyalty and readiness to risk one's life, while those who bear that responsibility are pushed to the edge of survival! You cannot speak of strong institutions and at the same time allow those institutions to be left without experienced, motivated and professional staff!” the union said in a statement.

The union warned that more police officers are leaving the profession, experienced personnel are departing and interest among young people is falling. It asked for immediate and structural solutions to improve material conditions not only within the Ministry of Interior but also at the Agency for National Security and the Intelligence Agency, arguing that the state risks being left without experienced professional staff if the trend continues.

So far the Ministry of Interior has not replied to questions about whether pay rises for police officers are planned; officials did not respond before publication. By contrast, a 10 percent salary increase for employees in the Army of North Macedonia is already foreseen in the budget for 2027.

Announcements from the Ministry of Defence say that the proposed Army raise would mean between 4,000 and 11,000 denars more per month, depending on the position. The police union says the Army agreement should serve as a model for other security services rather than remain an isolated case.

The union stressed it is not asking for privileges but for decent remuneration for work, and urged authorities to replace praise with concrete measures.

Photo: press material from the event