SSKM opposes cutting public holidays and proposes payment by the hour
SSKM says productivity and flexibility — including payment by the hour — should be the focus instead of reducing non-working days.
The Union of Chambers of Commerce (SSKM) has publicly rejected a proposal to reduce the number of state public holidays, calling instead for measures to raise productivity — including discussing a shift to hourly pay.
At the start of a roundtable titled "A stronger voice for business on reforms," SSKM president Goran Gjorgjievski said Macedonian workers are diligent and that solutions should not come through removing non-working days.
Hourly pay as an alternative
Gjorgjievski urged debate on introducing payment by the hour, arguing that such a system would reward more productive employees and add flexibility to the labour market, particularly for parents.
"Our focus should not be on reducing holidays, but on how to increase productivity. In that direction, I would like to open an issue that I believe should be discussed in the future, which is payment by the hour, following the example of developed market economies. This model will favour hardworking and productive workers because it will enable them to earn more, and at the same time it will bring greater flexibility to the labour market. Greater flexibility is especially important for parents and for mothers who need to reconcile work and family obligations," Gjorgjievski said.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Labour Marjan Risteski said the idea is one of several options to be examined to boost productivity in both public and private sectors. He called for studying methodologies used in more developed countries and said the topic should be discussed in the Economic and Social Council with unions and employers' organisations.
Separately, the Chamber of Commerce of Macedonia earlier this month said it would propose amendments to the Law on Holidays reducing the effective number of non-working days to 13 and stopping the practice of shifting holidays that fall on Sunday to the following Monday. Officials at the Ministry of Economy and Labour said any submitted proposal would be examined in the Economic and Social Council.
Minister Besar Durmishi and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski both warned against cutting already established workers' rights, while trade unions immediately opposed the chamber's plan to reduce holiday entitlements.
Photo: press material from the event
