unasm newsletter no 13 en
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Electronic informant 2015TRANSCRIPT
For the new publication of the electronic informant,
Slobodan Antovski, president of UNASM, highlights
that the issue of youth unemployment in the Republic
of Macedonia is an acute problem and is also an issue of
great importance for the European Union. Trade unions
can give huge contribution to the fight against youth
unemployment for better social security and to the
overall development of the society. In cooperation with
the European center for workers’ questions- EZA and
CNV Internationaal, UNASM includes young people in educational pro-
grammes that give youngsters possibilities to find jobs more easy and to
be included in another training or vocational education. UNASM regu-
larly invites the Ministry of labor and social policy to take part in these
educational programmes for support of young people and their future.
On 6th and 7th September, 2014, in Tirana, Re-
public of Albania, the regular 6th Congress of
the Albanian trade union BSPSH took place.
The activities that have been performed and
that are to be performed in future were high-
lighted at the Congress related to establishing
social dialogue and more active youth employment policy. UNASM was the only
trade union from Macedonia with which BSPSH cooperates on regular basis re-
garding promotion and advancement of social dialogue in both countries, and as
such UNASM has its delegation attending the Congress. The president of UN-
ASM, Mr. Slobodan Antovski in his speech at the Congress said that the coop-
eration and friendship with our partners from the region is going to continue in
future with an aim to introduce measures for decent life or workers, better
social dialogue and establishing network for realization of future trade union
activities for support of young people and women. Mrs. Divna Zmejkovska, vice
president of UNASM, also attended the event.
6th Congress of BSPSH in Tirana
Active youth for better future!
September– December
2014
Year 2015, no.13
UNASM Newsletter
CONTENTS
CNV visits UNASM 2-5
ILO– social dialogue 3
Humanitarian action of
UNASM
5
EZA cooperation 6-7
UNASM’s activities 8
Activities of WTUO 9-11
Activities of YTUO 12-
15
Activities of RO UN-
ASM Ohrid
16
WTUO for better so-
cial conditions
16
Activities of RO UN-
ASM Prilep
17
Electronic
informant
Slobodan Aantovski
President of UNASM
UNASM full member of:
In the middle of October,
2014, representative of the
National federation of
Christian trade unions-
CNV Internationaal from
the Netherlands visited
UNASM from the Republic
of Macedonia. The aim of
this visit was to see the re-
sults and situation of the
PME programme for the pe-
riod from 2014 until 2016,
a programme supported by
CNV Internationaal. Slobo-
dan Antovski, president of
UNASM, pointed out that
the programme was very
well received by the mem-
bers and is realized with
positive and trade union
spirit and that is of crucial
importance for future UN-
ASM members who ac-
knowledge and know UN-
ASM by its activities imple-
mented on national and in-
ternational level. Mr. Jan
Ridder, programme officer
in CNV Internationaal
pointed out that the part-
nership between CNV In-
ternationaal and UNASM is
in a good direction and will
continue in future via es-
tablishing more comprehen-
sive cooperation for reali-
zation of more advanced
programmes in the interest
of workers, youngsters and
women.
Page.2 UNASM Newsletter
CNV Internationaal visits UNASM
Work meeting in UNASM’s office with Mr. Jan Ridder and representatives of the
Coordinative Board of UNASM, regional organizations (Prilep, Skopje and Ohrid)
and women and youth organizations. New activities realized within the PME
programme (2014-2016) were highlighted at the meeting supported by the National
federation of Christian trade unions of the Netherlands- CNV Internationaal.
The importance of the implementa-
tion of the programme and the coop-
eration with CNV Intenrationaal
were main topics at the meeting, as
well as the role of UNASM in the
country, particularly in the field of
legal regulation, protection of work-
ers, role of women and youngsters in
the society, social dialogue, mobbing,
discrimination and labor exploita-
tion.
In cooperation and coordination of
UNASM with the employees in the
Dutch Embassy in the Republic of
Macedonia a visit of UNASM’s rep-
resentatives was organized. Apart
from the ambassador, Mr. Joop
Scheffers, the president of UN-
ASM, Mr. Slobodan Antovski, the
vice president of UNASM, Mrs.
Divna Zmejkovska and CNV’s pro-
gramme officer, Mr. Jan Ridder at-
tended the meeting.
Year 2015, no.13
ILO promotes the project on social dialogue
UNASM visits Dutch Embassy in the
Republic of Macedonia
Page 3
The project “Promotion of social dia-
logue” financed by EU via IPA compo-
nent for human resources develop-
ment 2007-2013 that is to be imple-
mented in a period of 24 months was
promoted in Macedonia. The support
of social dialogue is between the gov-
ernment, employers and trade union
organizations. The project will be im-
plemented by the International Labor
Organization (ILO) and social partners
in Macedonia.
On 27th of October, 2014, Mr. Jan
Ridder, programme officer in CNV
International visited UNASM’s re-
gional office in Prilep. Mr. Milcho
Smilevski, secretary general of
UNASM, attended the meeting.
Mr. Goce Blazeski, graduated law-
yer, presented the activities and
results of the textile programme
within the project “Trade union or-
ganization of textile workers in
Prilep” for 2014 which is part of
the PME programme.
Mr. Zarko Gjorgjievski, coordinator of the youth section within RO UNASM Prilep at-
tended the meeting and said that the
situation of youngsters in Macedonia is
not very well due to the high unemploy-
ment rate, even though positive pro-
grammes and measures are offered by
the Employment Agency. Young people
are facing with great problems when
searching jobs in the local community.
Furthermore, Mr. Ridder met the
president of the Independent police
trade union, Mr. Kronislav Mantaroski
who pointed out the problems of police
officers among which the biggest problem is that the state institutions in Macedonia
refuse to register this trade union.
Page.4 UNASM Newsletter
CNV Internationaal visits UNASM’s regional
offices
Mr. Ridder along with UNASM’s representatives while in Prilep had the possibility to meet the
manager of the textile company “Comfy Angel”, Mrs. Biljana Jandreoska. Protection of workers,
the activities of the Council for safety at work, trade union organization, and cooperation with
UNASM was some of the topics that were tackled during the meeting. The manager of the com-
pany pointed out that workers are organized in workers’ council which role is to hear workers’
problems and to find solution together with the team of the company.
Year 2015, no.13
Humanitarian action of UNASM in Prilep
CNV Internationaal visits UNASM’s regional
offices
Page 5
RO UNASM Prilep, association “Prerodba”,
“Gjorche Petrov” school, “Videlina” and “Pet do
dvanaest” on 25th of December, 2014 organized
humanitarian action entitled “The greatness of
a man is seen by his humanity” that took place
in the premises of “Trizla”. The aim of was to
help families and workers at social risk. The vice
president of UNASM, Mrs. Divna Zmejkovska
attended the event and said that these activi-
ties are part of UNASM’s programme and in fu-
ture are going to be supported so that social responsibility of employers is tackled as well.
In the period from 10th until 12th of September a regional seminar on: “Role of workers in
the process of creation and implementation of new structural policies and social re-
forms in the Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro” took place in Ohrid. Mr. Robert
Weber also took part in this event.
Page 6 UNASM Newsletter
UNASM continues its cooperation with EZA
In the period from 9th until the 11th
of October, 2014, UNASM organ-
ized regional seminar entitled:
“Let’s talk about young generation!
Possible solutions and strategies
about how to handle youth unem-
ployment in the region and in the
EU member states”. The seminar
took place in Ohrid. Guests: Mr.
Rober Weber from EZA, Germany
and Konstantin Petkovski, PhD.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 7
UNASM continues its cooperation with EZA
UNASM organized a regional seminar on: “Decent work of police officers- experiences from
Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania”. The seminar took place in Strumica in the period from 11th
until the 14th of December, 2014 and was supported by CNV Internationaal from the Nether-
lands. Representatives of the Independent police trade union of Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania
attended the seminar. The president of the Independent police trade union (IPTU) within UN-
ASM, Mr. Kronislav Manataroski said that the situation in Macedonia is very desperate having in
mind the fact that even though in the Republic of Macedonia there is legal regulation, they are
facing refusals when it comes to registration and reregistration of their trade union. Even
though a lot of measures have been undertaken, there is no response from the institutions.
When it comes to the topic he pointed out that the conditions in which police officers work in
Macedonia are far from decent. Frosina T. Remenski, Head of the police science department
within the Faculty of Safety in Skopje, was one of the lecturer of the educational sessions.
Page.8 UNASM Newsletter
UNASM’s activities
WTUO- UNASM at the beginning of the month of December, 2014 organized educational semi-
nar on: “Discrimination and mobbing” that took place in Skopje. The educational seminar is part
of the Women’s programme supported by CNV Internationaal from the Netherlands. Represen-
tatives of different trade union organizations attended the event. Within the Ministry of labor
and social policy a Commission for protection from discrimination was established that acts as
legal entity. During 2012, 75 petitions were submitted to the Commission, while in 2013, 84 pe-
titions were submitted most of which were in the field of labor and labor relations. According
to the information of the Commission that is published on its webpage it is said that in Mace-
donia the discrimination is present with 86%. Discrimination is present with young population
on the basis of gender, nationality, faith. Mobbing, as one of the most frequent problems that
occur at the workplace was also a topic tackled at the seminar. Mobbing is defined as repeated
psychological harassment that is aimed to degrade worker’s conditions that can result in as-
sault and damage to human rights and human dignity, to be detrimental to victim’s physical and
psychological health and to compromise the life and professional future of the victim. Lidija
Pavikj and Biljana Stramshak Gjurovska, PhD, were lecturers at this event.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 9
WTUO’s ACTIVITIES-UNASM
WTUO and YTUO within UNASM organized public debate on: “Human rights protection with
special accent put on domestic violence victims” that took place on 10th of December in Prilep.
The new Law on domestic violence prevention that entered into force on the 1st of January,
2015 including changes and amendments in the Criminal code was one of the main points of dis-
cussion. More than 230 procedures have been initiated in 2014 related to domestic violence. In
the municipality of Prilep, family violence increased for 5 percent which is an alarming situation.
We also have to accentuate protection of children, young and sick people who are facing this
problem. Establishing good communication and cooperation with the institutions, civil organiza-
tions and trade unions will get us closer to a solution to the problem and will offer protection
and support of domestic violence victims. The debate is part of the International days for pro-
tection of women from domestic violence. Snezana Jovanovska, director of the Social affairs
center in Prilep, Stojan Mishev from the ESE association from Skopje and Divna Zmejkovska,
operator at the SOS hotline for domestic violence 15700.
Page 10 UNASM Newsletter
WTUO’s ACTIVITIES-UNASM
In November, 2014, WTUO organized focus groups on the following topics: “Multiculturalism
for better economic situation with particular accent on the labor market” and
“Harassment at the workplace” that took place in Skopje. At the first focus group it was
stated that multiculturalism and its descriptive significance is widely accepted. To say that
one society is multicultural it means that that particular society is specified with cultural vari-
ety. The normative significance of multiculturalism refers to possible ways of social cohesion
that has cultural and social economic difference as basic concepts that are directed towards
workers, employers and tries to understand the results coming from salary changes, employ-
ment changes and changes in the income. The second focus group was more dedicated to har-
assment at the workplace that is defined as improper, immoral and impolite behavior that is
detrimental for personal dignity, particularly when manifested by threatening, degradation
and humiliation. One or more persons may be the ones who behave improperly regardless of
whether it comes to employers, physical person, worker, legal entity, group of workers or
third person that the employer contacts with. The Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia
adopted the Law on protection of harassment at the workplace in 2013. Biljana Chklamovska,
graduated lawyer, was moderator of the focus groups.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 11
WTUO’s ACTIVITIES-UNASM
In October, 2014 YTUO organized educational seminar on: “Socio-economic situation of young
people in Macedonia”. Main topic discussed at the seminar was the role of young people in trade un-
ion organization in Macedonia, factors that contribute to unequal positioning on the labor market-
ex. Roma people, education and labor market, active youth employment programmes and measures
and inclusion of young people at the labor market and rights and obligation of young workers in ac-
cordance with the Labor code. Some of the benefits from this educational seminar include more at-
tractive youth at the labor maker, proving economic measures and active inclusion of local communi-
ties. The seminar was held in the period from 14th until 16th October, 2014 in Krushevo. Representa-
tives of UNASM’s youth sections from the regional offices Prilep and Skopje, representatives of
SSM and KSS and representatives of civil organizations attended the event. Olivera Stavrova, rep-
resentative of the labor department within the Ministry of Labor and social policy, Gocel Blazheski,
lawyer, Toni Joveski, lawyer and Violeta Angeleska, lawyer, Nesime Salioska- NGO Roma SOS were
lecturers at the seminar.
Page 12 UNASM Newsletter
Activities of YTUO-UNASM
In November and December, 2014 three educational info sessions on: “Safety and health of young
workers in the agricultural sector” were organized. The aim of these info days was for young work-
ers to get familiar with their protection at workplace while working with tractors and other ma-
chines, as well as getting young people acquainted with legal regulation on safety and health at the
workplace in the agricultural sector. Young workers from the agricultural sector attended these info
days. The info days were organized in the following periods: from 21st until 22nd November, 2014 and
5th of December, 2014. The info days were organized in three municipalities: Prilep, Gevgelija and
Vinica. Lecturers: Stevka Basheska- Bozhinoska from the Association for protection at workplace
“28mi April” from Skopje, Dragi Taneski, PhD, professor at the faculty of food and agricultural sci-
ences within the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius Skopje, Slobodan Antovski- president of UN-
ASM, Slavica Jankova and Nikola Georgiev.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 13
Activities of YTUO-UNASM
In December, YTUO organized educational seminar on: “Youth and the agricultural sector”.
Carefully chosen topics were included in the seminar that were compatible with the profiles of
the people attending the seminar. Main topics discussed at the seminar were in the field of ag-
riculture which is result 2 of the youth programme putting an accent to health and safety of
young workers in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the active programmes and measures
for development of agriculture were discussed and special accent was put on young people, in-
tegral technique in contemporary agricultural production, GMO- advantages and risks and influ-
ence of insects on agricultural products. Having this educational seminar is of great benefit for
all target groups, particularly for young people as direct participants in the agricultural sector.
The participants at the seminar said that more attention should be paid to expanding their
knowledge and experience that will be transferred from theory to practice. This educational
seminar was organized in the period from 15th until 17th of December, 2014 in Negotino. Repre-
sentatives of SOU “Orde Chopela” – Prilep, SZU “Gjorche Petrov” – Kavadarci and members of
the youth section RO UNASM Prilep attended the seminar. Lecturers: Zvonko Pacanoski, PhD,
Stanislava Lazarevska, PhD, Ile Canev, PhD at the Faculty of food and agricultural sciences
within the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje and Zlatko Penkov from Negotino.
Page 14 UNASM Newsletter
Activities of YTUO-UNASM
Youth Trade Union Organization- UNASM and Youth section within RO UNASM Prilep organized
educational workshop on: “Writing a CV, writing motivation letter and interview” that took
place on 7th October, 2014. The educational workshop is part of the activities within PME’s
youth programme 2014-2016. The aim of the project is to help young population to improve
youth policies and legal regulations in Macedonia. Workshop’s programme was more interactive
so that young people can be better included in the agenda. In the first session career directions
was the main topic and career prospects and job search was explained via writing a CV and re-
lated to this Europass and EU CV format were presented. The second session of the workshop
included writing a motivational letter within which several techniques for writing this kind of
letter were covered. Furthermore, there was a presentation on how young people should prepare
when having a job interview. Participants were rather active and gave a lot of creative feed-
backs when talking about job interviews. The workshop took place in Prilep. Educators: Emilija
Nikoloska- Jordanoski and Zarko Gjorgjievski, civil activists.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 15
Activities of YTUO-UNASM
RO UNASM Ohrid in 2014 organized the English language course that was dedicated to tourist
workers. Workers in this sector show great interest in learning the English language. After finishing
the course each participant acquires a certificate. A group for taxi drivers in Ohrid who will attend
such course was formed and they also showed great interest in the course. In the following period
RO Ohrid will help taxi drivers from different companies to form trade union organization on re-
gional level.
Page 16 UNASM Newsletter
Activities of RO UNASM Ohrid
RO UNASM Ohrid and the civil organiza-
tion “Better future” from Ohrid on 20th
September, 2014 signed a Cooperation
memorandum. The aim of this memoran-
dum is to help citizens on regional level to
improve the social and legal protection by
undergoing educational activities related
to protection from domestic violence,
discrimination, mobbing and other activi-
ties.
WTUO signatory for informal network for better social services
WTUO in accordance with the women’s programme on 29th December, 2014 in Skopje
signed the Cooperation memorandum for establishing informal network for social ser-
vices promotion (IRIS-MK) along with another 13 civil organizations from the Republic of
Macedonia. The aim of the association is social services improvement for citizens at so-
cial risk.
The Regional office UNASM- Prilep while detecting the problems of textile industry in Prilep
and the need to help textile workers so that they can enjoy their legal rights in accordance with
the Law on labour relations and other laws in the labour field organized the project “Trade un-
ion organization of textile workers in Prilep” as part of the PME programme (2014-2016).
Textile workers were afraid of losing their jobs in textile companies and therefore they are not
organized and cannot exercise their rights guaranteed by law. Textile workers, particularly
women, are exploited to the maximum and they are receiving minimum wage. The aim of the pro-
ject is paid overtime work, respect of the Collective bargaining agreement signed with the em-
ployer and implementation of the Labor code by the employer. In September and October, 2014
RO UNASM Prilep organized three educational trainings dedicated to textile workers:
“Lobbying and lobbying techniques”, “Labor legislation and Collective bargaining agreements” and
“Negotiation and negotiation techniques”. Propaganda material was also prepared for the needs
of the project (leaflets, posters). The project is supported by CNV Internationaal. Lecturers:
Ubavka Shipinkoska, psychologist and Irena Sotiroska, lawyer.
Year 2015, no.13 Page 17
Activities of RO UNASM Prilep
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REGIONAL OFFICE UNASM DELCHEVO
St: “SVETOZAR MARKOVIKJ“ BB
9200 DELCHEVO, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Coordinator: Dimitar MOMCHILOV
Phone number: +38933410281
Email: [email protected]
REGIONAL OFFICE UNASM OHRID
BLVD TURISTICHKA REMIS 2 – LOCAL 3
6000 OHRID, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Coordinator: Blagoja IVANOSKI
Phone number: +38946251077
Email: [email protected]
REGIONAL ORGANIZTION UNASM PRILEP
St. „SOTKA GJORGJIOSKI“ BB
7500 PRILEP, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Coordinator: Goce BLAZESKI
Phone number: +38948410999
Email: [email protected]
REGIONAL OFFICE UNASM STRUGA
GRADSKI PAZAR BB (on floor)
6330 STRUGA, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Coordinator: Dragica POPOSKA
Phone number: +38946784495
Email: [email protected]
St: „Vasil Gjorgov“ no. 39, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Phone number: +38923230307 Email: [email protected]
For the publisher: Slobodan ANTOVSKI Publishes: UNASM Editor: Rubincho Arizankoski
UNION OF
INDEPENDENT
AUTONOMOUS TRADE
UNIONS OF MACEDONIA
Electronic informant UNASM Newsletter Email: [email protected]