EPSU solidarity with workers and unions’ protest against labour law reform in North Macedonia.

EPSU Banner solidarity

(15 May 2023) EPSU has joined ITUC and others in expressing concerns over changes to labour legislation in North-Macedonia.  The government is using a fast-track procedure without due consultation with social partners over the proposed reforms. We expressed our support for the Working Time Directive. It needs to be properly transposed and enforced across Europe. This is crucial for workers who deliver vital emergency and other public services. It is therefore of major of concern to us that the labour reform proposals would allow employers to circumvent working time regulations and lead to working time of 60 hours a week.

Excessive working hours pose a serious threat to health and safety and ensuring the delivery of safe and good quality public services. The proposals fly in the face of international labour standards. We stressed that as a Candidate Country, North Macedonia should be ensuring it complies with the EU’s social acquis. We have asked the Government of North Macedonia to withdraw its initiative. We expect it engage fully with the social partners on any planned revision of labour legislation.

North Macedonia

More like this

Jan. 09, 2020

Protests mount over labour law reforms

Ukraine

EPSU and other international trade union organisations have joined the protests against labour law reforms that would undermine worker and trade union rights. Among other negative changes, the reforms would reduce protection against dismissal, increase working time, allow for zero-hour contracts, undermine collective bargaining and weaken trade union rights' to organise. Trade unions were not involved in any consultation over the proposals and EPSU has sent a letter of protest to the government.

 S
Jul. 01, 2020

Week of action in protest at labour law reforms

Ukraine

On 30 June trade unions, supported by international union organisations, organised protests across the country, launching a week of action against government proposals to reform labour law. The substantial changes undermine trade union rights and are in conflict with the fundamental International Labour Organisation conventions (87 and 98) on the right to organise and negotiate. EPSU, along with the ETUC, has written letters of protest to the government, president and parliament.

 S