Labor Day marked in Serbia

BELGRADE International Workers' Day - Labor Day in Serbia - was marked in the country on Wednesday with picnics, and gatherings organized by trade unions. A small rally in Belgrade that brought together only several hundred people heard about the increasingly difficult position of workers. Labor Day marked in Serbia At the same time government officials in their May 1 statements said that "creating jobs and improving workers' financial position are its priorities." Representatives of several trade unions said at a rally at Nikola Pasiz Square in Belgrade that workers have fewer rights, adding that the position of employed people should be improved, Tanjug reported. President of the Association of Independent Trade Unions Ljubisav Orbovic told journalists ahead of the meeting that the destruction of Serbian economy lead to job losses and fewer rights for workers. "Apathy of the citizens is the biggest problem. This protest rally aims at breaking the apathy and raising the morale of workers," Orbovic said, adding that the situation will not change until workers take to the streets. He announced that trade unions will very soon deliver their requests to the government, which, as he put it, was given enough time to improve the position of workers. Labor Day was traditionally marked in the former Yugoslavia, and continues to be in Serbia, with early morning picnics and barbecues rather than rallies highlighting workers' rights. Labor Day is a two-day non working holiday in Serbia. This will be followed by Orthodox calendar Easter which falls on May 5 this year, and will be marked starting on Good Friday. The first working day after the two holidays will be Tuesday, May 7. A protester models 'spring/summer fashion for IMF, WB, WTO, thieves, tycoons, and war profiteers' (Tanjug) B92 Tanjug

Labor Day marked in Serbia

At the same time government officials in their May 1 statements said that "creating jobs and improving workers' financial position are its priorities."

Representatives of several trade unions said at a rally at Nikola Pašiž Square in Belgrade that workers have fewer rights, adding that the position of employed people should be improved, Tanjug reported.

President of the Association of Independent Trade Unions Ljubisav Orbović told journalists ahead of the meeting that the destruction of Serbian economy lead to job losses and fewer rights for workers.

"Apathy of the citizens is the biggest problem. This protest rally aims at breaking the apathy and raising the morale of workers," Orbovic said, adding that the situation will not change until workers take to the streets.

He announced that trade unions will very soon deliver their requests to the government, which, as he put it, was given enough time to improve the position of workers.

Labor Day was traditionally marked in the former Yugoslavia, and continues to be in Serbia, with early morning picnics and barbecues rather than rallies highlighting workers' rights.

Labor Day is a two-day non working holiday in Serbia. This will be followed by Orthodox calendar Easter which falls on May 5 this year, and will be marked starting on Good Friday.

The first working day after the two holidays will be Tuesday, May 7.