SDSM: Living costs up 4,000 denars while Mickoski rejects measures

SDSM accused the government of Hristijan Mickoski on Friday of refusing proposed assistance and wage measures while living costs in North Macedonia keep rising.

Party officials said that from January to the present households have seen an increase of 4,000 denars in living costs. They warned that the trade-union minimum consumption basket in October exceeded 70,000 denars and that, when rent for a 60-square-metre flat is added, costs reach nearly 90,000 denars — a level they said leaves even three average salaries insufficient to cover basic needs.

“The cost of living for Macedonian citizens has increased by 4,000 denars from January to now. In October the union minimum basket is over 70,000 denars, and with rent for a 60 square meter apartment it amounts to almost 90,000 denars. Not even three salaries are enough to cover basic living expenses. The Macedonian worker works the whole month, and the salary is not enough to survive because there is the lowest wage in Europe. Wages do not follow price increases. The standard is at one third of the EU standard. Not the third economy in Europe, but one third,” said Maja Serafimovska Borozan at a press briefing.

Opposition warns of new price shocks and rejected measures

SDSM representatives also pointed to expectations of further increases in electricity and heating prices next year and said many European countries are already preparing measures to shield households. They criticised Mickoski’s government for not introducing the relief steps SDSM proposed at the start of the crisis.

“About 180,000 workers receive wages lower than 31,200 denars per month, the minimum wage does not move from 26,000 denars. The bandit Mickoski brought the people to the edge of survival. He rejected every SDSM measure to help citizens. He rejected a 600-euro minimum wage, he rejected measures to protect living standards. And in the new rebalance there is no higher minimum wage, no 600 euros for workers, no measures, no help for farmers. There are debts, high interest rates, and the bill will be paid by the citizens and future generations. In two years Mickoski increased the debt by four billion euros, almost half of the total debt in the last 30 years. This harsh reality is a conscious decision by the bandit Mickoski — for workers to work for little money and to be poor. The bandit is spending the state treasury. He piles debt upon debt, and makes a rebalance of the rebalance — not for the citizens, but for criminal party tenders,” Serafimovska Borozan added.

The opposition also cited economic studies they say show North Macedonia would need about 52 years to reach the EU average in prosperity, and argued that current wage policy and public debt dynamics will deepen social strain unless the government adopts targeted measures.

Photo: press material from the event