Labor Day protests in Belgrade

The Alliance of Independent Unions of Serbia (SSSS) today organized a Labor Day protest in front of the government headquarters in Belgrade. The organization's president Ljubisav Orbovic told reporters that they "do not wish to send messages to the current government, but to warn the next one that it has to be ready to cooperate, lead a social dialogue and change poor legislation". Labor Day protests in Belgrade Otherwise, he said, the workers will be back in Belgrade to present their demands. Orbovic listed those demands as higher wages, greater rights of workers, social dialogue and respect of the provisions of a collective contract signed recently. He also criticized Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica for not attending the rally today, "to in support the workers' struggle for a better life". But President Boris Tadic and Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic who did attend, faced a mixed reception and boos from some of the demonstrators. Earlier, organizers said the demonstrators would look to draw attention to the bad position faced by those employed, as well as pensioners and unemployed youth. But the Association of Free and Independent Unions has decided not to participate in the protest today. Instead, they will take it to the streets on May 18, after the elections, to demand a swift forming of a new cabinet and adoption in parliament of a new law on worker protection. The protest in the capital today has also failed to secure the backing of the Independence Union. Yesterday, outgoing Labor Minister Rasim Ljajiic, SDP, said that the workers' position in Serbia is still very difficult, since up to 300,000 people have lost their jobs in the privatizations of the state-owned companies, as well as through restructuring and bankruptcy procedures of others. May 1, observed in Serbia as Labor Day, sees the country with an unemployment rate of 18.1 percent, much higher than the European average of 7.3 percent, he said. But the minister, campaigning on the DS-G17 Plus-SPO ticket in the ongoing campaign, expressed his belief that the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) signed between Belgrade and the EU this week will create new jobs in the country. Labor Day protest in Belgrade (FoNet)

Labor Day protests in Belgrade

Otherwise, he said, the workers will be back in Belgrade to present their demands.

Orbović listed those demands as higher wages, greater rights of workers, social dialogue and respect of the provisions of a collective contract signed recently.

He also criticized Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica for not attending the rally today, "to in support the workers' struggle for a better life".

But President Boris Tadić and Labor Minister Rasim Ljajić who did attend, faced a mixed reception and boos from some of the demonstrators.

Earlier, organizers said the demonstrators would look to draw attention to the bad position faced by those employed, as well as pensioners and unemployed youth.

But the Association of Free and Independent Unions has decided not to participate in the protest today.

Instead, they will take it to the streets on May 18, after the elections, to demand a swift forming of a new cabinet and adoption in parliament of a new law on worker protection.

The protest in the capital today has also failed to secure the backing of the Independence Union.

Yesterday, outgoing Labor Minister Rasim Ljajiić, SDP, said that the workers' position in Serbia is still very difficult, since up to 300,000 people have lost their jobs in the privatizations of the state-owned companies, as well as through restructuring and bankruptcy procedures of others.

May 1, observed in Serbia as Labor Day, sees the country with an unemployment rate of 18.1 percent, much higher than the European average of 7.3 percent, he said.

But the minister, campaigning on the DS-G17 Plus-SPO ticket in the ongoing campaign, expressed his belief that the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) signed between Belgrade and the EU this week will create new jobs in the country.