SDSM: Delayed salaries in state institutions; ESM employees received messages to 'be patient'

The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) accused the government on Sunday of delayed salary payments in several state institutions, naming the state-owned power company ESM among those affected. The opposition party said the problem has affected October payrolls and that municipalities reported they could not complete payments through the Treasury. ([kanal5.com.mk](https://kanal5.com.mk/sdsm-docnat-plati-vo-drzhavni-institucii-opshtini-ne-mozhat-da-plakjaat-preku-trezorot/a772622?utm_source=openai))

SDSM said employees normally received salaries by the fifth of the month, a pattern that has not been followed this month. “According to the information, employees at ESM also received SMS messages that it is still not known exactly when the October salary will be paid and that they should be patient,” the party wrote in its statement. ([kanal5.com.mk](https://kanal5.com.mk/sdsm-docnat-plati-vo-drzhavni-institucii-opshtini-ne-mozhat-da-plakjaat-preku-trezorot/a772622?utm_source=openai))

The opposition added that municipal offices were contacting central authorities about failed transfers via the Treasury, and demanded answers from the ruling party. “What is happening? Have Mickoski and his VMRO OKG emptied the state coffers to such an extent that even regular obligations can no longer be serviced?” SDSM asked. ([kanal5.com.mk](https://kanal5.com.mk/sdsm-docnat-plati-vo-drzhavni-institucii-opshtini-ne-mozhat-da-plakjaat-preku-trezorot/a772622?utm_source=openai))

Reactions and figures

In its statement SDSM also repeated figures it has used for months to criticise the government's fiscal management. “The hole in the budget is around 900 million euros, public debt is growing uncontrollably. Mickoski and VMRO have brought the state's finances into serious danger, with criminal policies they created a new debt of 4 billion euros in two years and by the end of the year it will be above 60% of GDP. That is why there is the second rebalance, that is why there are borrowings — that is why there is no money for a minimum wage of 600 euros, that is why there is no money for farmers, the treasury is empty,” the party said. ([tocka.com.mk](https://tocka.com.mk/vesti/579512/sdsm-drzavnata-kasa-e-prazna-docnat-plati-vo-drzavni-institucii-opstini-ne-mozat-da-plakaat-preku-trezorot?utm_source=openai))

ESM (Elektrani na Severna Makedonija) is the largest state-owned electricity producer in North Macedonia; SDSM’s claim that ESM employees were among those receiving uncertainty about payroll timing underlines the political sensitivity of the dispute. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektrani_na_Severna_Makedonija?utm_source=openai))

Photo: press material from the event