An Army reform is set to permanently resolve the status of professional soldiers who turn 45, allowing them to remain in the Army as civilian employees, said Macedonian Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski at a press conference Tuesday alongside Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Sashko Lafchiski, as well as representatives of defense unions.
Misajlovski notes that professional soldiers are the backbone of the Army; throughout their service, they give their all to ensure our safety, and they stand ready to assist citizens whenever and wherever they are needed.
“This reform means that Macedonian professional soldiers can finally, as they deserve, feel satisfied and secure about their future, even after reaching the age of 45. We are taking historic steps to resolve the status of professional soldiers. All options previously provided for by law remain in place: upon reaching the age of 45, every soldier will have the opportunity to receive a severance payment, equivalent to two average salaries, calculated based on their years of service. This remains in place. Furthermore, the option for any soldier wishing to move to another institution remains available, as the law permits it. A large number of them wish to remain within the Ministry of Defense, and that is one of the options open to them. However, through this reform, we are providing a solution that allows every professional soldier to remain in the Army as a civilian employee. This means they will have an additional option, to remain part of the Army and retain all their rights until they reach the age required for an old-age pension,” Minister Misajlovski pointed out.