Subject: Reporting on the situation from the field.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are addressing you as labor rights activists and textile industry workers who, since 2017, have formed the association "Voice Textile Worker" from Shtip.
This socio-economic and health crisis caused by the Covid-19 virus has hit employees in low-profit and labor-intensive sectors with all their might, women, young people, adults close to retirement, chronically ill people, single parents. They have faced illegal dismissals, non-renewal of employment contracts, reduced wages, delayed payments and after two months, loss of employment rights, falling ill at work, but trying to survive for the sake of their families.
A large number of companies, especially in the textile industry, have not yet paid their workers' salaries for the months of February and March 2021, so they are left at the mercy of the situation.
Due to non-payment of salaries and the poor state of the companies, workers are forced to pay privately when using health services. You are aware that this means exposing them to huge financial expenses and is a serious problem for normal living.
At no point does this represent a characteristic of a welfare state as we should be according to our Constitution.
We request that during temporary incapacity for work (sick leave) due to Covid-19, employees in the public and private sectors be paid a salary compensation in full, i.e. 100%. The need for such a request undoubtedly arose because citizens are faced with existential problems, especially those in the private sector due to treatment and medicines whose prices have increased significantly, and the income of workers and the compensation of 70% during sick leave are not sufficient for them to cover the costs of treating the disease. We cannot afford not to have paid health insurance, especially in times of health crisis. The HIF must not leave citizens to pay for examinations, therapies for themselves and their children privately.
It is inhumane on the part of the MPs, who put personal and party interests before the interests of the citizens who are the most vulnerable category in this health and socio-economic crisis with the pandemic. Especially since you should be the voice of the people, you should seek these urgent and urgent needs and highlight the problems of those for whom you have this office. Because thanks to them, you have a regular, high salary, the right to paid health insurance and more than decent working conditions. You did not face salary delays, illegal dismissals and reduced salaries.
We are not asking you, but DEMANDING you as MPs, elected representatives, to stop these political squabbles in this Assembly, which is called the people's house, and to put the interest of the people before any political goal, because the workers expect you to vote on this set of measures, because it is necessary for the normal functioning of every human individual.
Additionally, to consider the other requests submitted in this letter and request the adoption and amendments of laws that will enable regular payment of salaries, monitoring of abuses by certain employers through the first 4 sets of measures, assistance for those who have lost their jobs, 100% paid sick leave due to Covid-19 and the right to health insurance for every citizen. Additionally, enforcement agents, banks, public and private enterprises continue to operate, bills and loans must be settled, but this is impossible if this crisis leaves people without a livelihood every day. There must be a moratorium on collections and claims, which is why this request is more than necessary.
What is unacceptable is to continue with unconstructive bickering and, more recently, nationalistic rhetoric. Because Macedonians, Albanians, Bosniaks, Turks and Roma are all put in an unenviable position, businesses are failing and citizens are facing existential problems.
That is the least you can do for your country and your people. Because those people, the citizens, have given you the support to defend their interests. That and that alone is your role in this Assembly.
With respect,
Kristina Ampeva
President of the Association of the Voice of Textile Workers – Shtip.
