VMRO-DPMNE accused the protest by the Union of Trade Unions (SSM) for higher wages of actually being a joint parade of SDSM and SSM, not a genuine workers' action. The ruling party distributed photos from the protest showing participants wearing clothing with SDSM symbols.

MP Brane Petrushevski stated that workers in various regions were organized through local SDSM structures, claiming the trade union had "fallen into servitude" to this opposition party.

SSM president Slobodan Trendafilov sharply rejected the accusations. He stated that a large portion of workers had been prevented from attending the protest under threats of dismissal or pay cuts - a fact which in itself shows what workers are facing. SSM continues to demand a minimum wage of 600 euros and occasionally threatens a general strike.