Judges do not have the right to claim rights that stem from collective agreements signed by unions. This is the assessment of Tërpe Deanovski, president of the Union of Administrative Employees, Judicial Bodies and Civic Associations, because according to him, judges are officials and not employees and therefore do not have the right to rely on and claim rights that workers have gained from the Collective Agreement.
For him, it is illogical that judges sue and file criminal proceedings to gain from those rights.
"We have said it several times, judges are unfoundedly and illogically suing based on collective agreements, which were signed by unions. You should know that judges are civil servants, judges are not workers. Judges are the same civil servants as others, whether they are ministers, deputies, deputy ministers, prime ministers, or even the speaker of parliament. An official cannot sue for rights from the collective agreement that apply to us, the employees," he said.
Deanovski reports that in the last three years, no plan for new employment in the courts has been approved, even though many employees are leaving due to low salaries. He says the situation is alarming.
"No one has a salary at the moment, until the salaries of all court employees are paid. Not even the judges, no one. Today, a decision is expected to be made regarding the Budget of the Judicial Council. I recommend that you make a decision that salaries be paid with allowances for all employees. If such a decision is not made, employees of four courts are already demanding a work stoppage, we are waiting to decide whether it will be a protest. From our side, we said that we will not wait for everyone, those who want to express dissatisfaction can join us", said Deanovski.
He says that citizens will lose the most from any possible court protests, however, he says that the protests bring penalties for court employees who are ultimately punished with a minus 40 percent of their salary. He added that despite numerous protests, the state and institutions have so far not listened to the demands and real needs of judicial employees.
