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UNASM Newsletter UNASM full member of
YEAR 2011, NO.04
TRADE UNION MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. NIKOLA GRUEVSKI
CONTENTS: Trade union meeting
1
Labour market active measures
2
The perspective of social dialogue
3
Equality and solidarity
3
Women Unlimited Macedonia
4
Panel on:„What kind of mark are we going to leave?”
4
Cooperation between 5 NGOs and Trade unions
5 Cooperation between UNASM and MESS Safety and health
June-July 2011
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After the trade unions’ initiative for determination of minimum wage, the leaders of trade union organizations in RM had a meeting with the Prime Minister of RM, Nikola Gruevski where this issue was discussed. All trade unions are ready to negotiate in order to determine the minimum wage in the country. The leaders of trade union organizations said that having undertaken this initiative, they are furthermore interested in raising the wages in the public sector. Trade unions’ leaders promised that they will cooperate with the government to so that the minimum wage is determined and is on acceptable level which will lead to greater material security of the workers in RM. The Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, confirmed that: “The process of determination of this wage will be introduced through institutional bargaining within social dialogue between the partners: the government, employers and trade unions”. He also added that it is too early for concrete information to be given referring to the minimum wage amount because deeper analysis, research and negotiations between the three social partners are needed.
No: 04, year 2011
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LABOUR MARKET ACTIVE MEASURES In the last week of June, in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria, a subregional workshop on:” Decent employment, decent work and decent working conditions” took place. Representatives of the Women’s Committee of ITUC/PERC from Macedonia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Albania attended this workshop. Experts and representatives of trade unions, members of the Women’s Committee participated in the workshop. The perspective for transferring from insecure employment to decent work of the Ministry of labour and social policy, the economic crises and the labour markets, the situation of the workers from the Balkans and the perspectives for EU accession of the countries from the Balkans and the trade unions’ role were some of the topics discussed. The representative from Macedonia, Mrs. Divna Zmejkovska, president of SOOZ within UNASM pointed out that the situation in the field of labour is a consequence of the difficult economic situation in the countries that have inefficient system. At the same time she pointed out that trade unions should make analysis on the harmonization of all the laws in the social and economic policy, to continually implement the monitoring and evaluation activities and laws application on all governmental levels, to find the best solutions through cooperation based on social stability for fast and smooth development a growth, to increase sanctions and fines, employers to stop avoiding the obligation to register workers ant to pay contributions. As a conclusion, Zmejkovska added that a gender equality data base is needed, and that it is necessary to discuss gender equality through different social agendas, as well as to prepare gender equality maps. The participants at the workshop pointed out that a realistic view on the trade unions’ possibilities to help in the fields of labour and social policy which are the main factors for accessing the European Union. Workers’ rights are not considerably included in the international conventions and standards. The crises hit all the countries, but, mainly there is no information for the woman’s situation. The woman is less protected within the labour market!
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UNASM Newsletter
THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE
“Successful social dialogue is a contribution to decrease of the crises on employment policies” UNASM
From 9th to 12th June, 2011, in Mamaia, the Republic of Romania, a seminar on: “How can social dialogue help the employment in time of crises?” took place. The seminar was organized by the foundation F.N. CORESI with the help of EU and EZA. Participants from EZA, Germany, CNS Cartel ALFA, Podkrepa from Bulgaria, Solidarnost from Poland, LDF from Lithuania, CST from Spain, CFTS, DGB from Germany and of UNASM from the Republic of Macedonia attended the seminar. Macedonia was represented by Divna Zmejkovska, President of the Women’s Organization and Ivana Lekic from the youth section. On a global scale, the social dialogue is in a great crisis. It was pointed out that in the Scandinavian countries; the social dialogue is at its best, while the competitiveness is on a high level. The social dialogue is a fight against illegal work and a tentative to settle the financial division of capital. Having investments is a priority of the European Union, as having a sound agriculture, as well as sound sources. Also, certain efforts should be made to improve education and acknowledgment of the stuff qualifications all over Europe.Young people are also one of the EU’s priorities and this category must not be ignored. Youngsters and women should be more trusted in order to make them feel as part of the society. In future, it is expected from young people to become politicians, lawyers, active members in trade unions and even leaders. Certain conclusions have been drawn from the discussions such as: there is not one unique model of European social dialogue with set goals, tasks and obligations. At the same time, equal rights should be respected, as well as the law, the democracy, and then there should be a unification of trade union organizations and respect of competitiveness. Mr. Bartho Bronk – president of EZA, Mr. Yves Clement - CFTS, Mr. Alfredо Ramirez Nardiz – CST from Spain, Mr. Joel Decalion from Belgium, Mr. Mathias Flickshu -DGB from Germany were some of the expert, as well as others that made their contribution to the process of social dialogue advancement within the European Union.
EQUALITY AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE SOCIAL PARTNERS Within the project Balkan network for descent work training on: “Putting equality and solidarity in the heart of EU integrations” was held 16th and 147th June in Ohrid. This training was organized by the Institute for social democracy PROGRES in cooperation with OLOF PALME International Centar and SOLIDAR. The aim of the training is for all social partners to be gathered in one place and to discuss on better process of ensuring decent work places. At the same time, certain priorities were highlighted for enabling and improving work places, as well as the opportunity for creating a network for better achievement of the results. During the training certain topics have been elaborated such as: EU social policy; lobbying and representation; community mobilization; creation of public message to the target group. All topics were presented in front of the participants. Representatives of UNASM, Divna Zmejkovska and Blagoja Ivanoski, attended this training.
UNASM Newsletter
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New women network formed Women Unlimited Macedonia
Simone Filippini Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Macedonia
Two years ago I promised a group of business women that I will help them to create a small women network. My son was in Macedonia to enable a women network such as Women Inc that is capable of gathering different women to exchange ideas and experiences and to obtain inspiration. Their inclusive stance and approach creates a feeling of something fresh and attractive for women to be willing to join, to feel comfortable and to participate. Thanks to Women Inc I have met women that otherwise I would have never met.
This concept reminds me of social media: open for everyone, non-discriminative, without membership cards. That is a way to solve the issues connected to the strengthening and emancipation appropriate for the 21st century. The combination of serious contents and interesting presentations is a place where everyone would like to attend to. I wanted a similar network to be found in Macedonia, too. This spring, the network “Women Unlimited Macedonia” has been finally found. Because women in Macedonia have unlimited capacities and talents. And because it is time for them to expand their dreams even
more without limitations and aspirations.” - declared Ambassador Filippini “Women Unlimited Macedonia” is a new feminine brand that along with you will succeed to find new potential and beauty in everything that has been done and everything you want to continue to do. .At the event, that took place in Mala Stanica, on the 9th July in Skopje, SOOZ within UNASM made its contribution with the presence of the President, Divna Zmejkovska.
PANEL HELD IN STRUGA ON: “WHAT KIND OF MARK ARE WE GOING TO LEAVE- FAIR ELECTIONS 2011”
During the month of May 2011 held a public debate on: “What kind of mark
are we going to leavefair elections 2011” organized by UNASM Struga. At this public panel attended citizens of Struga, NGOs, representatives of the community of Ohrid, representatives of political parties of Struga and Ohrid, and representatives of the municipalities and representatives of the media. Candidates for members of parliament in the new composition of the Parliament within the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, Aleksandra Nestoroska from SDSMStruga, Nadica Nikoloska and Liljana Zaturosoka from VMRO DPMNEStruga, delivered their speeches. The aim of this public
panel was to stress the importance of having fair and democratic elections by democracy promotion and preservation of human rights. The aim of this public panel is to stress the importance of fair and democratic elections by democracy promotion and preservation of human rights. Those who attended participated in a fruitful discussion calling upon fair and democratic elections without any incidents on the Election Day. The panel was opened by the representative of the UNASM’s office in Struga, Dragica PavloskaPoposka and Aleksandra Gorceska as her facilitator.
Year 2011, No: 04
ACTIVE COOPERATION BETWEEN TRADE UNIONS AND CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS FROM MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA On the 2nd June, in the premises of UNASM, a working meeting was held with representatives of the Women Organization of the City of Skopje, SOOZ within UNASM, Women civil initiative Antiko and representatives from the Civil organizations technical support office TASCO from Macedonia and Albania, as well as with the Women Organizations from Albania. Tasks and activities of all organizations were highlighted and the organizations exchanged experiences from the realization of the activities in the area of social protection and protection of women from any form of discrimination, mobbing, family violence etc. The aim of the meeting was to establish cooperation between these organizations in the promotion and advancement of women rights through international actions from Macedonia and Albania for participation in the EU funds.
NEW COOPERATION BETWEEN UNASM and MESS from the Republic of Turkey On the 27th May the Association of Turkish employers in the metal industry and the Union of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia had a meeting regarding the project European cooperation for bridges for health and safety protection –ECBOHS. UNASM is part of this project. Other trade union organizations are involved in this project, as well as employers’ organizations from Western Balkans and EU (Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Turkey and Belgium). The aim of the project is to raise the awareness of employers’ organizations and trade unions, as well as of civil organizations through exchange of experiences of good practices from EU for efficient working and support in efficient and effective implementation of the legislation on national and local level. It is foreseen in the project for system’s institutions to be included, as well as trade union organizations, civil organizations, employers, experts and other factors that create public policies in the social life. Some of the expected project results are: to increase the participation of trade unions and employers in the decision making process, increased cooperation with civil organizations and EU institutions, active cooperation between employers and employees through EU legislation and its influence on the country’s policies and encouraged social dialogue in order to improve the working conditions through harmonization of EU standards. As partner of the project, UNASM gave its support for improvement and promotion of the value of worker’s questions in the Republic of Macedonia.
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Year 2011. NO. 04
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SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK Safety and health is interdisciplinary concept of wellbeing people who are involved in the process of work. But, at the same time, it also implies to employers protection from unforeseen and unrestrained economic and material losses that derive from damages caused by weak application of safety and health measures. As a secondary effect there is the protection of colleagues we work with, indirectly our families and the wider community. According to ILO’s definition from 1950, with the newest review of 1995, safety and health at work aims towards: Promotion and sustenance of physical, mental and social wellbeing of workers on the highest level; Protection of worker’s health damaged by the working conditions; Workers protection while working from the risk that results in factors damaging for the health; Employing and preserving the worker in a working environment adapted to its physiological and psychological capabilities; Adjustment of the work to the worker, and not vice versa. This area includes creation of healthy, humane and safe working environment.
Legal regulation According to the law on safety and health at work (“Gazette of RM”, no: 92/07), the employer is obliged to organize, regulate and ensure the safety and health at work in accordance with the provisions of this law, as well as with accordance with the provisions of other laws and regulations that refer to the concrete working environment. In addition, the employer is obliged to ensure healthy and safe working conditions for its employees including professional risks protection, to give the employees information, to organize training and to ensure the necessary means. Regardless of the profession, the employer, in accordance with Article 17 of the law, must ensure safety and health measures at work, particularly by: assigning one or more adept persons for security (internal or external), undertaking safety measures in case of fire in accordance with the special provisions, undertaking measures for first aid and evacuation in case of danger, training of the employees for safely performance of the work tasks, ensuring equipment for personal protection of employees and its application, and if the undertaken safety measures are insufficient, then occasional controls of the working equipment and environment, as well as following the state of health of the employees.
„To promote safe workplaces !“
WWW.UNASMPP.WEEBLY.COM WWW.OZUNASM.WEEBLY.COM
REGINAL ORGANIZATION OF UNASM, DELCHEVO St: SVETOZAR MARKOVIC 92000 DELCHEVO, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Coordinator: Dimitar Momchilov Тел: +38933410281 Email: unasmdelcevo@yahoo.com
UNION OF INDEPENDEND AND ANTONOMOUS TRADE UNIONS OF MACEDONIA
REGINAL ORGANIZATION OF UNASM, OHRID BLVD. TURISTICKA building REMIS 2 – 3 6000 OHRID, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA Coordinator: Blagoja IVANOSKI Phone number:+38946251077 Email: unasm_ohrid@yahoo.com
St: „Vasil Gorgov“ no.39, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Phone number: +38923230307 E-mail: info@unasm.org.mk
REGINAL ORGANIZATION OF UNASM, PRILEP St: „SOTKA GORGIOSKI“ 7500 PRILEP, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Publisher:
Slobodan ANTOVSKI
Editor:
Rubincho АRIZANKOSKI
Coordinator:: Goce BLAZESKI Phone number:+38948410999 Email: unasmpp@gmail.com
Electronic informant UNASM newsletter E-mail: unasmbilten@gmail.com
REGINAL ORGANIZATION OF UNASM, STRUGA St: GRADSKI PAZAR 6330 STRUGA, REPUBLIC OD MACEDONIA Coordinator: Dragica POPOSKA Phone number: +38946784495 Email: unasmstruga@yahoo.com
HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE SUN?
During extremely hot days it is recommendable for one to stay in closed premises, air-conditioned foremost. Light and bright clothes to be worn, as well as glasses and hat as a protection from the direct sun waves. It is also recommendable less food to be consumed, especially fatty food and to reduce any gained weight. Doctors recommend consumption of a great amount of liquids from still water to mineralized non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided, as well as beverages that contain caffeine and extremely cold beverages, as well as consumption of greater amount of sugar. If the stay in open space is necessary then one must try to find a shadow to rest under as often as possible and direct stay under the sun to be avoided. If any chances in the health condition occur one must consult a doctor.