MINISTRY OF LABOUR CONTINUES WITH INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE WORKERS' RIGHTS
19.01.2013

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy continues with the ruthless fight against the unregistered employment and all other irregularities in the labor area and OHS, stressed the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski at today's press conference.
The most common abuses of workers' rights happen during holidays when all engaged workers should receive holiday wages, which is 150% higher than normal, but in reality we are witnessing different situation. The penalties for this type of offense are quite high, ranging from 6.000 to 7.000 euro. During last year’s inspections, this holiday wage has not been paid to more than 3.000 workers.
In the area of labor relations in 2012 were conducted 29.867 inspections, of which 24.346 regular, 3.578 control inspections and 1.943 inspections at the request of the parties.
In OHS area there were 12.680 inspections of which 9257 regular, 138 supervision of the Law against smoking, 3.143 control inspections and 142 inspections on complaints.
In 2012, were registered 10 death cases, and no occupational injuries at work, which also means a reduction in relation to 2010 and 2011 when there were 12 deaths on the workplace, said Ristovski.
He added that only the full application of the laws and the successful inspection of labor laws and bylaws implementation is a guarantee for better economic climate, good labor market conditions, and safe jobs.
Ristovski said he would continue to work towards reducing the gray economy and improvement of workers' rights, and that we should all jointly contribute to creating a better standard of living.