Macedonian Journalist’s Union Leader Sacked from TV Job

Tamara Causidis

Tamara Causidis, a journalist whose employment at the Skopje-based Alsat M TV station was terminated yesterday, claimed she was being punished for her work as a union leader.

Her lay-off comes shortly after her union staged a protest against perceived political and business influences in Macedonia’s media last month.

The peaceful protest also raised questions about why a number of pro-opposition media outlets had recently been shut down.

Speaking to Balkan Insight today, Causidis speculated on why she had been made redundant.

“This comes after several attempts to silence me and to make me stop my activities in the Union,” she said.

She said that she had been informed that a document existed with her signature on it allegedly agreeing to her job termination but claimed she had not signed it and that her signature had been forged.

“I signed no such document,” Causidis said, adding that she would seek justice in court.

In a written statement on Wednesday, Macedonia’s Labour Ministry said it is “already investigating” her claims.

Previously, in a statement for the Skopje-based Telma TV station, unnamed officials from Alsat M insisted that the sacking of Causidis was legal and had been done based on a mutual agreement. However, they said that they “fully respect her right to bring the case to trial”.

Yesterday, Macedonia’s Journalist’s Association, ZNM, reacted to the sacking of Causidis.

Naser Selmani, head of ZNM, said in a press statement that Causidis’ sacking was “aimed at killing the union right from the start”.

“This is an irresponsible decision of the owner and the management of Alsat M and I do not know why they decided to sack the union leader who has legal protection. They cannot do this,” Selmani stated.

The union was formed last December with the aim of improving working conditions for local journalists. Causidas was the first person elected to be its leader and has since presented a strong voice to the public advocating journalists’ rights.

Hundreds of Macedonian journalists joined protests staged last month in Skopje by the union and the ZNM. The protests came amid closure of several media organisations which were critical of the government and the sacking of journalists from other outlets.

Three daily newspapers and the country’s oldest national television station, A1, were closed last month after being unable to pay its tax debt to the state.

In the past, the union has accused employers of forcing or tricking some journalists to sign resignation notices while they were still employed. It has also raised its voice over the issue of late wages and social security payments to journalists.

International organisations have weighed in on the issue of Macedonia's press.

The European Commission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the South East Europe Media Organisation have all voiced concern over the closure of these outlets.
 
The government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski denies allegations that it was targeting these outlets for their pro-opposition views.