DESPOTOVSKI: MACEDONIA HAS THE HIGHEST GROWTH OF REAL WAGE AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE REGION
“The latest World Bank report stated that Macedonia has the highest level of growth in real wages and productivity of all six countries in the Western Balkans region. It is a confirmation of the policies that we stand for and have been practicing for the last seven years, which is an increase in wages for our fellow citizens,” said Jovan Despotovski, director of TIDZ, in a debate on the public service MTV. Despotovski added that only in the Technological Industrial Development Zones during this period there was an almost three-fold increase in the number of jobs compared to 2016, as well as doubled salaries, which for the last three years have been above the national average.
“I have personally decided not to pay attention to paper and writing strategies, but to pay attention to the real situation. And if we have taken it as a priority that we need more jobs and better paid jobs, I want to deliver that. And that’s why I can honestly tell you that from 2017 to 2023, we have close to 12,000 new jobs in the Zones and an almost double increase in wages. In 2017, we had somewhere around 20,000 net salary, now we have over 40,000 average net salary. So I want to talk with those numbers, because they are the concrete effects that this Government, that is, every government, should deliver to the citizens, Despotovski pointed out.
According to Despotovski, the projections for increased salary growth and an average salary of 1100 euros are realistically achievable, and this is based on the results and performance so far.
“The promises are based on what we have achieved so far. If 4 years ago we promised that the salary would be 500 euros, and now we have exceeded that and are at the level of 650 euros, it means that we have a performance based on which we can say that we can continue this trend further. The numbers are not randomly placed, and they are realistic and achievable. An average salary of 1100 euros is achievable until 2028, and even earlier. It’s not just about promising something, but also about showing that you can deliver it. And we, in the area of the economy, have shown that we have realized and exceeded what we promised,” said Despotovski decisively.
He believes that “as responsible politicians and political parties, we must tell the people what they should expect from us, and for that reason it is honest to come out and say that by 2028 what will be an immediate effect for the citizens is 1100 euros average salary, 600 euros minimum wage. This is the only way they can measure our performance. Through how much money will enter their pocket, and how much they can buy with it.”
According to Despotovski, the most important thing is to have defined goals and realization, and not to spend time on writing documents as strategies.
“Strategy, if we are talking about the preparation of a written document, can be done. But often here, the writing of strategies and changes to laws are used by politicians and public office holders as an excuse to do nothing. In the meantime, we can sit down to write a strategy or amend the laws, but that is a matter that does not concern us, it does not concern the citizens. That is why it is good when we want to make a report to the citizens, not to tell them how many times we have had sessions, how many times we have discussed and what conclusions we have reached, but what is the practical benefit for them. And the practical benefit is jobs and increased salaries,” said Despotovski.