MINISTRY OF LABOR ANNOUNCES CONTROLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW ON MINIMUM WAGE
02/20/2012

Fines of 6.000 to 7.000 euro shall be imposed to employers in case of not paid minimum wage of 8.050 denars, said Minister of Labour and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski.
These penalties are provided by the Law on minimum wage, applying from the beginning of 2012. The law foresees fines for the responsible person with the employer from 3.000 to 4.000 euro.
At a press conference held on February, 18 2012, Minister Spirovski said that after 20 years the Government and partners in social dialogue has determined the amount of the minimum wage of 8.050 MKD net (12.265 MKD gross), based on previous observations. He urged employers not to try to make different calculations of salaries, because the difference is clear between salary, gross amount and meals and transportation.
Penalties have still not been imposed, although attempts have been noted for disrespects of the law, said Spirovski, who stressed that labor inspectors started with controls from February 15th.
Namely, labor inspectors will oblige employers by Decisions to calculate minimum wage with annex agreements.
The Agreement on minimum wage was concluded on October 1st 2011 at the sixth session of the Economic and Social Council by the three social partners: the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of RM, Government of RM, Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, Confederation of Free Trade Unions of RM and the Organization of Employers of RM.
The obligation is exempt for textile, shoe and leather industry. They have period of three years to reach the specified amount. With the Law on minimum wage 65.000 workers should receive higher incomes.