THE SUPREME COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA VERIFIED THE LEGITIMACY OF THE STRIKE IN MERMEREN KOMBINAT JSC PRILEP

30.12.2014

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Macedonia has rejected by a Decision the revision submitted by Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep regarding the strike organized by the Trade Union on 19-22.11.2012. Thus, the trial has ended in favor of SGIP, while for the union members this is the beginning of the realization of their labor rights. The Trade Union Organization of Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep through the Union of SGIP has finally received a decision that proved the legitimacy of the strike and the demand of the workers for their economic and social rights, stipulated in the Labor Law and the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The whole process started in November 2012 with the filing of the lawsuit of Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep on the declaration of the two strikes as illegitimate, as well as for a compensation of 1.5 million MKD.

This decision is of historical significance, because for the first time in the country a trade union to be taken to a court for organizing a strike.

As a reminder, the requirements for both strikes in Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep organized in 2012, were aimed at increase of wages which have not been changed for ten years, and the cost of living have increased by 30 percent and the company has worked profitably. The management team of the company has responded with filing claims of illegitimacy of strikes and suffered damage due to disruptions during strikes.

For the members of SGIP the most important is that SGIP through the TUO in Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep will make efforts to improve the labor rights through the collective agreement, signed during the strike, in which labor relations have been regulated and the way for dialogue at the highest level with the leadership of Mermeren Kombinat JSC Prilep has been opened.

Also, the Union of SGIP expresses its sincere wishes for the New 2015 to its members by wishing them a long and fruitful cooperation in achieving labor rights.