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The role and the influence of Trade Unions in establishing a balance between professional and family life

From 15 to 17 October 2020 took place in hybrid form a seminar about “The role and the influence of Trade Unions in establishing a balance between professional and family life”, organized by YHACM - UNASM - UIATUM (Union of Independent Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia), with the support of EZA and of the European Union. The seminar was part of the EZA special project for workers' organisations in the Western Balkans.

In the Republic of North Macedonia, the poverty index is 33.2 percent, which means that every third Macedonian is poor. More than 53.000 families receive social assistance, and about 24.000 people live on the brink of poverty because they lost their jobs due to the crisis.

The data on poverty and unemployment are overwhelming, where unemployment is around 340.000 unregistered unemployed according to the Employment Agency of the Republic of Macedonia.

This seminar was of particular importance because we are facing globally, regionally and nationally with the Pandemic of COVID-19 which leaves consequences for the entire population, employees, unemployed, youth, companies, economy, education, health etc.

Slobodan Antovski who was also the moderator of the session - opened the seminar and presented the project and gave an introduction where he stressed that the biggest problems from year to year become drastic and serious, the number of employees decreases and as a result poverty is more pronounced.

Particular attention was paid to the Corona crisis and its impact on workers' health, industry, labor relations, education and on-the-job risk assessment which is crucial for balancing the health and productivity of the economy with reconciling family and professional life of workers in these difficult times.

Many workers do not have enough income to cover basic daily expenses, and thus the rights to family and professional life cannot be reconciled, the young population is not employed, and at the same time they do not have the opportunity to go abroad to see their peers fighting for their rights, textile workers are not unionized, or in a word, Northern Macedonian society is in a very enviable and difficult situation, said Antovski.

An even bigger rift was created with the appearance of the pandemic that affected not only the workers, but also the companies, and all this affects on the quality of life in the family.

UNASM undertakes various activities in improving the social dialogue in R.N.Macedonia by improving the law.

Professor Dr. Lazar Jovevski in his presentation on "Labor relations in conditions of Covid 19" - paid attention to the system of harmonization of family with professional obligations. In this context he spoke about working hours, work environment, attitude towards work and family, personal time, time for family, quality home, attitude towards family. He commented that the size of the unions is actually the strength of the union. The unions in one country should have the same common goals, idea and ideology, but that is not the case in R.N.Macedonia and that is being abused by the government. In Covid's situation, work from home should be regulated, which is one of the measures with additional acts. Trade unions should be catalysts for the promotion of the need, but that requires vision and awareness, as well as the need to respect the rights and obligations of the unions first and then of the other social partners. In the 1960's, the unions lost the quality, the union awareness, and they do not do what is their task, it was simply simulated. There is a need to rid unions of the corruption.

Rade Nenadic, President of the Agency for Private Employment in his presentation "Problems of private employment agencies with collective agreements with employers and workers“ said that there is a terrible unpreparedness on the part of the state to deal with the pandemic. The measures provide for a mass of more than 100,000 administrative workers who receive a salary and stay at home, while employees in the economy and the private sector are obliged to go to work and receive a minimum wage of MKD 14,500 and some receive less than that.

Judith Hamburg-Madani, researcher (European Centre for Workers’ Questions/EZA), pointed out the EZA Research and Publication Project „Workers' organizations in the Western Balkans - developments, challenges, perspectives “. She stressed the need to talk about EU integration. She indicated which methods were used: Analysis of existing materials (eg. Seminar briefs), literature research, transformation experiences in the Western Balkans region, economic indicators, road to European integration, Interviews with workers' organizations, ILO representatives, employers' organizations, representatives of ministries, economic and social councils.

The analysis contains the following issues: Information and introduction to the basics - experiences with transformation, historical and economic background from the fall of Yugoslavia, EZA projects, workers' organizations in the Western Balkans: self-perception, activities, their role in society and politics, relations with other actors, challenges (and more), other actors' perspectives, EU integration. This research was done in order to promote the unions, and for that purpose they focus on Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.

An online speech was given by Mr. Veselin Mitov, Vice President of EZA and International Secretary of PODKREPA from Bulgaria. He spoke on the topic : "The role and influence of trade unions in establishing a balance between family and professional life." From this situation we can draw consequences and conclusions, such as the vulnerability of workers, the economy, state problems. The mantra was to introduce measures especially in the health sector. Healthcare is the most vulnerable sector and not sufficiently prepared to deal with the pandemic. The gap inequality and continental differences has widened. In the world from March to September 400 million workers lost their jobs, especially young women. Work from home is a new phenomenon and the system for this type of work is underdeveloped, especially for safety and health at work. Special attention has to be given to workers working in the first line and who are essential in the covid pandemic i.e. health workers, trade, transport. Mechanisms are needed to protect workers. There is a high possibility that working from home will become long-term employment and thus there will be violations of the law.

That is why the trade unions need to be firm, persistent and to identify the violation of workers' rights and that is why the Confederation of European Trade Unions has created a Minimum Wage Directorate. At this time people can not sustain themselves with a minimum wage, especially families where there is only one or two employees. The directorate will influence the minimum wage to be 50% of the average. Trade unions need to find mechanisms to mitigate the effects of the pandemic crisis.

Mile Boskov, President of the BCM (Business Confederation of Macedonia) spoke on the topic: “Protocol for harmonization of family life, work from home and new working conditions resulting from the crisis” and gave a brief summary of what measures and activities BCM is taking to provide more and safer jobs. Work from home is only an alternative and its impact on companies is that work from home should be only a temporary solution and after the crisis to return to the old system of work. Asked by the audience whether working from home affects the harmonization of family and professional life, Boshkov said that it also has a great impact.

In her speech about "The impact of Covid 19 and dealing with protection measures in economic zones" Saska Trajcevska from KEMET (free economic zones) said that the emergence of the Corona virus and the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization negatively affected on the work of certain economic sectors such as tourism, catering sector, textile industry, automotive sector and all other activities that depend on the import and export of raw materials for production.

At the beginning of 2020, due to the virus in China, the production facilities were closed, which produced various materials and semi-finished products with which many of the factories in the Technological Industrial Development Zone operate. Due to the reduced demand for finished products worldwide, the factories were forced to work with a smaller number of employees, and some of them to declare forced leave for a certain period. All this lead to a reduction in salaries and then to the dismissal of some employees. This conditions negatively affects the harmonization of family and professional life, and contributes to the breakdown of family relationships.

According to the President of the Independent Trade Union of State Administration Goran Risteski, who spoke about "The role of trade unions for protecting workers in Corona crisis and influencing the harmonization of family and professional life" his trade union has taken an active part in order to prevent its spread since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Republic North Macedonia somehow unpreparedly "welcomed" this pandemic of Covid 19, which is the cause of the current epidemic that has spread over the whole world.

The trade union wrote a letter to the ministry to demand additional protection of the employees in the prison system (and through them the families), persons deprived of liberty during detention and imprisonment, as well as overall for the protection of society as a whole.

Jakim Nedelkov, President of the Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture (SONK) spoke on the topic "Social dialogue and partnership between employers and workers in conditions of Covid 19". He stressed that the measures were adopted unilaterally without including those involved in the activities. After this crisis, there will be a social crisis and a lot depends on the leadership of the unions. That is why we need to break up vanity, abuse and diversity, and the unions should make an agreement for action.

Blagoja Ralpovski President of CCM (Union of Trade Union of Macedonia) spoke on the topic: "Job security in conditions of KOVID crisis and the impact on family and professional life". He noted that the corona crisis had brought unpredictable damage to the economy and stressed that unions are acting  for those whose rights they are representing. Trade unions allow to be provoked and they do not have built mechanisms by which all trade union confederations will act together, and not to allow political influence and abuse on our organizations. All this affects the mismatch of family and professional life.

Risto Pejovski, President of the Transport Sector spoke on the topic: "The role of the trade union in the transport sector in conditions of pandemic." In general, the corona crisis has brought unpredictable damage to the economy at both state and individual levels. The consequences of that are unemployment, but at the same time it mobilizes the trade unions in the fight for protection of workers' rights, but also in the protection of the interests of companies by giving their ideas and proposals for overcoming the crisis. In these extremely difficult moments for the workers, neither the government nor the Ministry of Finance may issue decrees ordered, blackmailed and pressured by employers, chambers, etc., to the detriment of workers.

The consequences of the crisis should and must be borne by all stakeholders in society, both representatives of capital and labor representatives, as two sides of a whole. The inability to reconcile professional and family life can contribute to the collapse of the institution FAMILY.

Divna Zmejkovska, President of the Organization of Women at UNASM and Vice President of UNASM presented “promoting SOS lines for harassment in the workplace ". In line with the ILO Global Call to Action, the International Labor Conference adopted the Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World at Work (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendations (No. 206), Convention no. 190 and Recommendation no. 206. The Convention is a binding international treaty, creating obligations for ratification by states. The Recommendation provides guidance for the implementation of the Convention. This is also an initiative for ratification of the Convention and its implementation. The Women Trade Union Organization prepared a project: The future of work based on dignity and respect. Aim of the project: Protection and support from violence and harassment in the world of work.

Slagjana Milivojevic, President of the Trade Union Organization in Macedonian Radio and Television, discussed the topic "The new situation with Covid 19, the impact on the work for harmonization of family and professional life with the Corona crisis". With the advent of Covid 19, we got a new way of life and thus a new way of working. All planned activities and projects remained in the background. Some were delayed and some had problems with the implementation. This is a phenomenon, a new way of thinking, a new interest of employers and a new situation for workers. A new way of life with restrictions, with curfew, with special permits from employers.... However, this process did not stop where there was shift work.

Now we have to think faster and act faster in tourism, textile industry, catering, because these are the branches that are most affected, and that is where the smallest trade union organization is. The fact is that the pandemic will not end soon and we have to deal with these challenges. It will be difficult and painful. Each of us should do our best, both to preserve our health, the health of our family, and to give maximum work success. What will be the damage from the new situation from this strong shock, remains to be analyzed. Probably tens thousands lost jobs, poverty and loss of family values.

Biljana Chklamovska, legal consultant at UNASM, spoke about „Work from home - positive and negative effects“. Health care is a priority that will be seen as a priority in employment. Priorities changed due to Covid 19: Increase of paid sick leave for employees with Covid-19, Co-financing of tests and treatment for Covid-19, Social distancing, Detailed hygiene protocols, Protective equipment for work, Temperature screening tools. Doing work from home - flexible model - Teleworking - working in a separate place (outside the employer's seat), Full or part time job, Combined (eg 2 days at home, 3 in the seat), Particularly suitable for  IT industry , self-employed – freelancers. It is necessary to have a contract for doing work from home. Industries that can not work from home: Health, Finance and Banking, Education, Construction, Maintenance, Production, Food Services, Retail.

Slavica Jaukovikj coordinator of the branch unions in Union of Trade unions of Montenegro spoke on the topic "The role and influence of trade unions in establishing a balance between family and professional life" – experiences from Montenegro. Because the most developed branch in Montenegro is tourism, the COVID-19 pandemic has had terrible consequences for the Montenegrian economy. The decline in GDP is 20%. The inflow from tourism is around 95% lower than the previous year. It also affected the state budget. Many workers lost their jobs in tourism and catering, which affected the standard of citizens because many families live from those activities. It also affected a large number of homeowners who had loans and opened new facilities and expanded old ones.

All this has contributed to the question of how employees' salaries will be paid. Although the government has taken measures to help employers, they are still thinking about how to proceed. For families with children up to 11 years of age, one of the parents is entitled to paid leave. In this situation there is no opportunity to even think and not to reconcile family and professional life. The only thing the Trade Union in Montenegro could do was to influence employers to lay off as few people as possible.

Shaban Tasholi, President of the Independent Police Union of Kosovo, spoke about "The role and influence of trade unions in establishing a balance between family and professional life" - experiences from Kosovo. He stressed that the pandemic is present all over the world and affects everyone and that unions should help all employees, retirees and young people. They need to know the consequences of this and those who are at the forefront of dealing with the COVID-19. Kosovo as a state did not provide any special protection for police officers. Unions need to put pressure. The situation is bad and we will pay for the consequences later.

Gani Lami, Vice President of BSPSH, followed up on previous discussions on "The role and influence of trade unions in establishing a balance between family and professional life" - experiences from Albania and noted that there is a lack of protective equipment in Albania. The most endangered branches are health, construction, catering, trade, education, transport as well as in other countries in the region. There is no Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in Albania and therefore the situation is even more complicated.

The most important conclusions

- It was concluded that the situation in the Western Balkans is similar to all the countries and the exchange of experiences from this seminar is important and what is positive should be implemented everywhere.

- All stakeholders in society (worker, trade unions, employers) should play a key role.

- If until now they had the task of promoting workers' rights, now they have additional tasks including preserving jobs.

- Unions should be an important stakeholder in finding mechanisms to protect workers.

- It is necessary to implement good social dialogue because it does not exist in the countries of the region because there are no eligible partners.

- Request from the government to include the trade unions in the regulatory commission in order to act and influence in increasing the prices of heat and electricity, which is an additional complication of the family budget.

- Risk assessment is crucial for balancing health protection and productivity of the economy.

- We need energy, loyalty, knowledge, solidarity that we lack and now in this crisis we will feel all the consequences that have a negative impact on the harmonization of family and professional life.

- Request from the government to ratify ILO Convention 190 on Prohibition of Harassment at Work.

The participants of the event were quite satisfied with the discussions on the set topic. In the interest of their policies, they emphasized that they can contribute to the adoption of the National Strategy for Dignified Work. They also mentioned that the Socio-Economic Councils of the region must consider the parameters of the EU strategy 2020 in the future.