History of SFDM

The Trade Union of Finances of Macedonia (SFDM) has been established in April, 2005. This Union unites the workers in financial sector from banks, insurance companies and other financial organizations in the Republic of Macedonia.

SFDM is member of the Association of Trade Unions (SSM) - Federation of independent trade unions that include 17 business trade unions from the businesses in production and non-production areas in the Republic of Macedonia.

Until 1993, SSM was the only trade union organization in the Republic of Macedonia. In the transition period, after the desolution of former Yugoslavia (1991 - still in progress), the pluralism in the social life of Macedonia led to pluralism in organizing of trade unions and their associations. In the very begining, SSM separated from the Federation of independent trade unions, and then (in 2000) SSM separated from the Trade union of financial organizations (SFOM). Until 2005, other separations happened. Those other separations resulted with establishing of the Confederation of free trade unions (KSS), that unites three sectors - education, defense and part of financial organizations.

Banks and other financial organizations that where not trade union organized and part of them that were trade union disoriented in the transition period (after leaving SFOM), held a Congress in April 2005 and decided to establish SFDM based on the principles of democracy, independence from political parties and independence in decision making. Having in mind the free expressed will of the members through the slogan: "United in common aim to improve the social - economic status of workers and protection of labor, we can be representative and relevant factor in the Social dialogue", they decided to become member of SSM.