May Day in Serbia marked with small protest

Labor Day (May Day) in Serbia is mostly "barbecue day" - as workers are headed for picnic spots rather than taking part in street protests.

Izvor: B92

Sunday, 01.05.2011.

11:35

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Labor Day (May Day) in Serbia is mostly "barbecue day" - as workers are headed for picnic spots rather than taking part in street protests. Only three minor unions have called on their members to gather in Belgrade. May Day in Serbia marked with small protest Across Europe, mass demonstrations are expected to highlight the issue of worker rights. In Serbia, workers will spend the day barbecuing in such spots as Kosutnjak, Ada Ciganlija, and Mt. Avala, and beyond Belgrade, on Mt. Fruska Gora, where 300,000 are expected. Unemployment, failed privatizations, endangered labor rights and workers' poor social standing have not proved sufficient to motivate most to express themselves and show solidarity on this day. But leaders of three unions of employees in health, police and industry sectors expressed their dissatisfaction with working and living conditions in Serbia, which is why they said they see no reason to celebrate Labour Day. The protest at Slavija Square was attended by around fifty people, and by presidents of Police Trade Unions of Serbia, the New Trade Union of Health Workers and Union of Industrial Workers Unity - Veljko Mijailovic, Zivorad Mrkic and Zeljko Veselinovic- who pointed that they were protesting against government corruption and "tycoonization". The government has to stop poverty, hunger and unemployment in Serbia, otherwise the workers will continue with violent protests, the participants said. After the gathering, the workers went on a protest walk through the central streets of Belgrade, despite the rain. Large trade unions, however, said that experience from past years had taught them that workers in Serbia prefer to celebrate on May Day rather than protest and demand their rights - and so they decided not to organize any gatherings this Sunday. May Day protesters in Belgrade hold a banner that reads, 'ENOUGH' (Beta)

May Day in Serbia marked with small protest

Across Europe, mass demonstrations are expected to highlight the issue of worker rights.

In Serbia, workers will spend the day barbecuing in such spots as Košutnjak, Ada Ciganlija, and Mt. Avala, and beyond Belgrade, on Mt. Fruška Gora, where 300,000 are expected.

Unemployment, failed privatizations, endangered labor rights and workers' poor social standing have not proved sufficient to motivate most to express themselves and show solidarity on this day.

But leaders of three unions of employees in health, police and industry sectors expressed their dissatisfaction with working and living conditions in Serbia, which is why they said they see no reason to celebrate Labour Day.

The protest at Slavija Square was attended by around fifty people, and by presidents of Police Trade Unions of Serbia, the New Trade Union of Health Workers and Union of Industrial Workers Unity - Veljko Mijailović, Živorad Mrkić and Željko Veselinović- who pointed that they were protesting against government corruption and "tycoonization".

The government has to stop poverty, hunger and unemployment in Serbia, otherwise the workers will continue with violent protests, the participants said.

After the gathering, the workers went on a protest walk through the central streets of Belgrade, despite the rain.

Large trade unions, however, said that experience from past years had taught them that workers in Serbia prefer to celebrate on May Day rather than protest and demand their rights - and so they decided not to organize any gatherings this Sunday.

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