Govt. "torn between strikers and IMF"

While the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission is checking Serbia’s finances, the government is still under pressure from vulnerable social groups. Children in some schools still do not have classes, the unions have announced that every fifth medical worker will soon be on strike if their salaries are not increased, owners of vans have decided not to block the roads for another 20 days and the disabled persons staged a protest in the streets of Belgrade today. Govt. "torn between strikers and IMF" On top of complicated negotiations between the government and the teachers’ unions, both sides now have to worry about the IMF mission as well. Three out of four unions have cut classes 15 minutes short and the government and the unions’ representatives did not reach an agreement today that could end the strike. Independence Trade Union President Tomislav Zivanovic said that both sides were trying to persuade each other they were right and that the Finance Ministry was asking them to end the strike but that it was not possible because they did not offer anything in return. The problems in the health care system have not been solved either. Two unions have accepted a 14 percent increase in salary but the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers of Serbia “Independence” wants five to six percent more. “We’ve really had enough of quasi state unions. We as the Independence Union got the platform during negotiations, while other two unions came with that platform,” said Zoran Ilic from the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers of Serbia “Independence”. Even though they announced that they would organize a protest ride in Belgrade, van owners have given up on the protest. Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic has managed to convince them that their vans will not be treated as luxury vehicles. The van owners said, however, that they would stage a “rigorous protest” if their requests were not met in 20 days. City authorities are also facing numerous problems. Disabled persons staged a protest today even though Belgrade City Secretary Vladan Djukic claims that program activities will continue, that criteria for allocation of funds have been determined and that transportation will be improved. The protesters made the same demands. “They haven’t paid a single dinar for material costs, for wages, GSP (city transportation company) is disastrous,” said Zeljko Vjestica from the Association of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Belgrade. However, police unions have ended their strike after they reached an agreement with the government. (FoNet)

Govt. "torn between strikers and IMF"

On top of complicated negotiations between the government and the teachers’ unions, both sides now have to worry about the IMF mission as well.

Three out of four unions have cut classes 15 minutes short and the government and the unions’ representatives did not reach an agreement today that could end the strike.

Independence Trade Union President Tomislav Živanović said that both sides were trying to persuade each other they were right and that the Finance Ministry was asking them to end the strike but that it was not possible because they did not offer anything in return.

The problems in the health care system have not been solved either. Two unions have accepted a 14 percent increase in salary but the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers of Serbia “Independence” wants five to six percent more.

“We’ve really had enough of quasi state unions. We as the Independence Union got the platform during negotiations, while other two unions came with that platform,” said Zoran Ilić from the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers of Serbia “Independence”.

Even though they announced that they would organize a protest ride in Belgrade, van owners have given up on the protest. Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjić has managed to convince them that their vans will not be treated as luxury vehicles.

The van owners said, however, that they would stage a “rigorous protest” if their requests were not met in 20 days.

City authorities are also facing numerous problems. Disabled persons staged a protest today even though Belgrade City Secretary Vladan Đukić claims that program activities will continue, that criteria for allocation of funds have been determined and that transportation will be improved. The protesters made the same demands.

“They haven’t paid a single dinar for material costs, for wages, GSP (city transportation company) is disastrous,” said Željko Vještica from the Association of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Belgrade.

However, police unions have ended their strike after they reached an agreement with the government.