North Macedonia: Unionized legal and administrative workers to hold protest marches in Skopje Sept. 28; law enforcement to close some roads from 09:00

Event

Unionized legal workers affiliated with the North Macedonia Public Prosecutor's Office plan to hold two simultaneous protest marches in central Skopje on Sept. 28 to demand salary increases. The marches will be led by the Trade Union of Administrative Workers, Judicial Authorities and Citizens' Associations (UPOZ) and the Independent Court Administration Union of North Macedonia (NSDA), respectively. It is unclear how many participants will attend the demonstrations.

Authorities indicate that roads along the UPOZ march route, which will start at Mirche Acev Street and end at the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia building, will be closed to traffic from 09:00; the affected roads are Mirche Acev Street, Filip II Makedonski Street, Dimitrie Chupovski Street, VMRO Boulevard, and Ilinden Boulevard. Additionally, workers with the NSDA plan to march from the Primary Court of Skopje 1 to the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia at 10:00; organizers have not published a detailed march route.

Heightened security is likely along the protest routes. Additional transport disruptions are possible throughout central Skopje. Low-level confrontations between demonstrators and police or frustrated motorists are possible.

Advice

Avoid the protest areas as a standard precaution. Allow additional time if traveling in central Skopje. Strictly heed all instructions from law enforcement officers. Immediately depart the area at the first sign that any security disturbance may occur.