PM reassures unions; unions unmoved

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic denied the claims of union that the government wants to back out of the signed collective agreement with the worker unions. He said that the government is proposing a temporary postponement of the agreement. PM reassures unions; unions unmoved Union workers blocked traffic in Belgrade yesterday in response to the announcement that the collective agreement signed with the government will not be implemented on January 1. The unions have announced new protests. Cvetkovic, answering a letter from the leader of the Alliance of Independent Unions Ljubisav Orbovic, said that the government will not make any decision that will be damaging to the workforce, adding that the measures are meant to balance the burden of the current economic crisis. But he also said that as a serious crisis is being faced, struggle to preserve jobs is more important that wage hikes, hot meals or benefits. “Firstly, it is not true that the government wants to back out of the general collective agreement. It is true that the government is proposing a temporary postponement of its implementation because of the given, and I am certain, convincing arguments. Secondly, there is a recommendation given to employers to implement either fully or partially the extended effects of the collective agreement,” Cvetkovic said on Thursday. “Thirdly, the government is obligated to support financially employment in the industry and is because of that proposing an adequate set of measures. Fourthly, the government is preparing within the budget means at its disposal for 2009 a distribution of funds that would offer a better standing for those who have lower wages in the public sector,” the prime minister continued. In the first reactions, Judicial Union President Slavica Zivanovic said that Cvetkovic is "insulting the intelligence of the citizens" and that he cannot sign a collective agreement and then question its implementation one month later. “He cannot recommend to businesspeople to stick to the general collective agreement, while at the same time, heading a government which employs 430,000 people, he says they are not prepared to implement the agreement for all employees that work for the state,” she said. “The prime minister does not have the right to say that the IMF is demanding a decrease in public spending. The IMF gave the government two choices: lower either the public or investments. That is a question for a referendum. He should have asked me and every other citizen in Serbia whether they are fine with having their earnings in 2009 put into question or whether they support postponing investments for some time,” Zivanovic said. Unions protest in Belgrade on Wednesday (FoNet)

PM reassures unions; unions unmoved

Union workers blocked traffic in Belgrade yesterday in response to the announcement that the collective agreement signed with the government will not be implemented on January 1.

The unions have announced new protests.

Cvetković, answering a letter from the leader of the Alliance of Independent Unions Ljubisav Orbović, said that the government will not make any decision that will be damaging to the workforce, adding that the measures are meant to balance the burden of the current economic crisis.

But he also said that as a serious crisis is being faced, struggle to preserve jobs is more important that wage hikes, hot meals or benefits.

“Firstly, it is not true that the government wants to back out of the general collective agreement. It is true that the government is proposing a temporary postponement of its implementation because of the given, and I am certain, convincing arguments. Secondly, there is a recommendation given to employers to implement either fully or partially the extended effects of the collective agreement,” Cvetković said on Thursday.

“Thirdly, the government is obligated to support financially employment in the industry and is because of that proposing an adequate set of measures. Fourthly, the government is preparing within the budget means at its disposal for 2009 a distribution of funds that would offer a better standing for those who have lower wages in the public sector,” the prime minister continued.

In the first reactions, Judicial Union President Slavica Živanović said that Cvetković is "insulting the intelligence of the citizens" and that he cannot sign a collective agreement and then question its implementation one month later.

“He cannot recommend to businesspeople to stick to the general collective agreement, while at the same time, heading a government which employs 430,000 people, he says they are not prepared to implement the agreement for all employees that work for the state,” she said.

“The prime minister does not have the right to say that the IMF is demanding a decrease in public spending. The IMF gave the government two choices: lower either the public or investments. That is a question for a referendum. He should have asked me and every other citizen in Serbia whether they are fine with having their earnings in 2009 put into question or whether they support postponing investments for some time,” Živanović said.