- This column is not a criticism of society, but a wake-up call, for the inclusion of all concerned in order to improve the situation, not through rebellion and resistance, but by joining the forces of workers, unions, institutions… For concrete ideas and plans for improving the situation and for more listening to mutual concerns. Because workers, employers and the state should be social partners for mutual benefit. The development and progress of the state directly depend on the battle for workers’ rights, through the growth of the economy, whose foundation is the workers, as well as the improvement of all spheres of society. And that’s why it should be permanent, with the involvement of all of us
May Day, the labor holiday that symbolizes the centuries-old struggle for the advancement of labor rights, based on the pursuit of dignity and equality, and this year in the country will probably pass in the sign of rest, relaxation and distraction from work. It is certain that the capital will be empty during the long weekend, which many will use to travel outside the country, as in any other such occasion.
But this is the case throughout the region, where May 1 is mostly used for a break. It became a tradition. In the schism between activism and relaxation, the option that requires less effort often wins. That will not change even in a time of global instability filled with price shocks and risks of energy and economic crises, caused by war hotspots around the world, which pose serious threats to jobs and incomes.
The barbecues will be smoking and the picnic areas in the country will be crowded, if only it doesn’t rain with the announced cold wave. After all, if you search for the term “May 1st” on news aggregators, the first thing that comes up will be worrisome weather headlines like “Will the weather allow us to have a May 1st picnic?” or culinary topics with grilling tips including “five tips for cleaning and preparing the grill for May Day” and “This is the best barbecue marinade – for May Day, eat meat that melts in your mouth.” Content devoted to labor rights is almost nowhere to be found between the weather forecast and the barbecue.
But the fight for better working conditions must not subside or fall into the background, especially since there are many things that can be improved, starting with workplace safety and respect for work standards, ensuring fair incomes, reducing working hours, i.e. creating greater stability and security for maintaining the employment relationship.
Over time, the demands and conditions of the labor market change, so new fronts are opened in the existing battles for labor rights. A current issue worldwide with the progress and increasing application of technology is the stability of the workplace, which raises questions about whether workers are replaceable, which jobs will disappear, and which will be performed by artificial intelligence and with the help of modern technologies?
With increasing expectations from workers, the pressure on them also increases.
At the same time, the role of trade unions and labor organizations is weakening, labor markets are becoming fragile, and the emigration of the young population is depleting the labor force in the country. All these are urgent issues that require concrete measures and answers.
That is why this column is not a criticism of society, but a wake-up call, for the inclusion of all concerned in order to improve the situation, not through rebellion and resistance, but by joining the forces of workers, unions, institutions… For concrete ideas and plans to improve the situation and for more listening to mutual concerns. Because workers, employers and the state should be social partners for mutual benefit.
The first of May in the editorial office of “Nova Makedonija” has always been marked with special respect, taking into account the efforts of all employees in creating a newspaper with quality content, despite all the challenges. And the cover of the holiday edition has been carefully thought out and designed by our technical editors to send strong support to the worker through symbolism representing agriculture, industry and administration, as the three essential pillars of the working class, shown in a historical context. And in the text dedicated to the holiday, we have a significant historical theme in which we refer to the mutual connection of the ideals of the Macedonian revolutionaries, that is, the Macedonian struggle for national freedom and identity with workers’ rights.
In that spirit are the economic topics in “New Macedonia”, in which we do not only report on the problems and difficulties, but they represent an occasion to offer answers to overcome them. In doing so, we write about supporting business, encouraging production, increasing productivity, attracting investments, increasing exports, diversifying energy sources and ensuring a stable energy supply. All of this is aimed at improving the conditions in the economy, the conditions for workers and the standard of living, because all those issues are interconnected.
The development and progress of the state directly depend on the battle for workers’ rights, through the growth of the economy, whose foundation is the workers, as well as the improvement of all spheres of society. And that’s why it should be permanent, with the involvement of all of us. May the 1st of May be happy and may it bring a better tomorrow to all of us who work diligently and honestly to realize the centuries-old aspirations for Macedonia to become a better place to work and live.
