Professional soldiers and 613 veterans to protest in front of the Government on 7 November

Professional soldiers will stage a protest in front of the Government of North Macedonia on 7 November, demanding improved labour rights, a permanent legal solution for their employment status and dignified pay.

The Independent Trade Union of Professional Soldiers says this group is the only category in the service employed on fixed-term contracts and that, after their professional engagement ends, many remain without an appropriate work or social solution and are left "on the street." The union has rejected proposed changes from the Ministry of Defence, calling them an attempt at manipulation because, it says, they do not provide a systemic remedy.

Veterans join the demonstration

Alongside the serving soldiers, 613 army veterans will join the protest. The veterans accuse the state of marginalising them and leaving them without adequate institutional support. They assert that they meet the legal requirements but, after turning 45 and leaving service, were not granted the rights they expected.

Minister Vlado Misajlovski has presented draft solutions intended to regulate the status of professional soldiers. Proposed options include payment of a severance sum at the end of service, extension of employment within the Army, or reassigning duties to another state institution.

The union says these measures do not address the fundamental problem and is calling for a permanent, systemic solution that will cover all professional soldiers. Both the trade union and the group of veterans insist on a comprehensive legal guarantee rather than temporary or partial fixes.

Photo: press material from the event