The Union of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) organized a mass protest with a central demand: a minimum wage of 600 euros and a linear wage increase of 100 euros at all levels. Workers took to the streets claiming that around 160,000 employees in the country earn below the poverty line.

SSM rejected the Government's proposal for a legal increase of 1,667 denars, deeming it insufficient to cover rising living costs. The union also maintained its threat of a 24-hour general strike that would include private sector companies.

SDSM supported the protest through its MPs. Simona Cvetanovska stated that "workers who peacefully organize to demand what they deserve are talking about dignity, not politics". She reminded citizens that SDSM during its governance raised the minimum wage from 8,000 to over 20,000 denars.

VMRO-DPMNE countered with accusations that the protest was coordinated with SDSM. MP Brane Petrushevski claims participants wore SDSM symbols and workers in various regions were organized through local party structures. SSM president Slobodan Trendafilov rejected this, emphasizing that workers were prevented from attending under threats of dismissal or pay cuts.