SDSM: With Mickoski the minimum wage does not cover food — 33% of workers live in poverty

SDSM says the official minimum wage under Hristijan Mickoski’s proposals is insufficient even to cover basic food and beverages for a four-person household. The party’s statement points to October figures showing that citizens needed 26,170 denars just for food and drinks, and that since January the cost of food and drinks has risen by nearly 2,000 denars.

According to SDSM, the full consumer basket stands above 70,000 denars, and when housing costs are included it rises past 90,000 denars — far beyond the reach of minimum-wage earners.

Party: many workers live below the poverty line

In its communiqué the party argues that even three minimum wages would not cover basic living expenses. SDSM said workers in North Macedonia struggle with some of the lowest pay in Europe and “barely make ends meet.”

In the statement SDSM added: "Of a total of 540,000 employed, about 180,000 workers earn salaries smaller than 31,200 denars monthly. 33% of the workers in Macedonia earn a salary below the poverty threshold. These people go to work, work, invest labor and do not have enough for a dignified life — literally live in poverty. Instead of raising wages the scoundrel considers importing economic workers as cheap labor. Nikolovski says 50,000 economic workers and Mickoski over 100,000," the party wrote.

SDSM called on policy makers to increase wages rather than seek imported low-cost labor, warning that current levels leave a large share of the workforce without resources for decent living.

Photo: press material from the event