SSKM against cutting public holidays, but with a new idea: pay workers by the hour worked

When one chamber of commerce proposes fewer public holidays and another publicly opposes it, a worker might easily think that someone from business has finally taken their side. It's worth reading the second half of the sentence too.

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Macedonia (SSKM) disagrees with the Economic Chamber's proposal to cut public holidays. "Macedonia has hard-working, dedicated and honest people who want to work. That is why our focus should not be on reducing holidays. Our target is how to increase productivity," SSKM president Goran Gjorgjievski said ahead of the round table "A Stronger Voice of Business for Reforms".

And how do you increase productivity? Gjorgjievski opens a topic: pay per hour worked, "following the example of developed market economies". According to him, someone could work three hours one day and five the next, depending on needs and possibilities, which would especially help parents and mothers balance work and family. The model, the Federation says, would favour the hard-working, who would be able to earn more.

Flexibility sounds great in a presentation. But who decides how many hours you work tomorrow - you, or your employer? Where hourly pay is the rule, it usually comes together with a legal minimum hourly wage and rules on overtime. Will those rules come in the package too, or will we import only the hourly rate?

The government is cautious for now. Deputy Minister of Economy and Labour Marjan Risteski says the issue has been considered several times and that paying by hours worked is one of the options to be analysed, and the debate should take place in the Economic and Social Council, with unions and employers at the same table. That is the right place. Because once workers are paid by the hour, every hour without work will be an hour without pay - and they should know that before they applaud.