N. Pazar strikers refuse to send reps to Belgrade

Raska Textile Industry workers, who are currently on strike in Novi Pazar, say that "radicalization" of their protest would include a trip to Belgrade. Although the Economy Ministry has called on only their representatives to travel to Belgrade on Monday and tell government representatives about their problems, the strikers have rejected this offer. N. Pazar strikers refuse to send reps to Belgrade Novi Pazar Mayor Mirsad Djerlek says that the workers are disappointed with previous broken promises, and want government officials to come to them in this southwestern Serbian town. Meanwhile, the strike's leader and president of an association gathering textile workers, who made the headlines this weekend after he cut off and ate his own finger in protest, says Monday is "the D-day". According to Zoran Bulatovic, "big trouble" can be expected in Novi Pazar unless the strikers get a positive response. The man who ate half of one of his left hand fingers wants the government in Belgrade "to for once show it is serious". Of the radical move than he chose to express his protest, Bulatovic said: "It was time for a meal. My meal that day was a finger. Yes, I did it, not as a whim, but simply [because] this is unbearable." "We have organized this strike in two phases. The first is this, while the second is a mass gathering and a trip to Belgrade to the Republic of Serbia government, along with our families," he continued. Bulatovic's colleague Senada Rebronja said she would follow the finger-cutting "example". "I am sorry that the [association] president has lost his finger. I will do the same, if our demands are not met." In the midst of all this, Mayor Djerlek says he is "very worried about what might happen on Monday". "I will once again send an appeal to the government and the ministries to understand that this is a serious matter and for a relevant member of the government to come to Novi Pazar." "Novi Pazar deserves to have someone show up in front of these people, to avoid much greater trouble, which would certainly be an embarrassment for the state and all those who are in charge of workers." The strikers in Novi Pazar are protesting over unpaid wages, dating from 1993 until their employment ended. Raska factory once employed some 4,000 workers in Novi Pazar and other regional towns. Today, only a hundred remain in the Novi Pazar facilities. Bulatovic is seen on Saturday (Beta)

N. Pazar strikers refuse to send reps to Belgrade

Novi Pazar Mayor Mirsad Đerlek says that the workers are disappointed with previous broken promises, and want government officials to come to them in this southwestern Serbian town.

Meanwhile, the strike's leader and president of an association gathering textile workers, who made the headlines this weekend after he cut off and ate his own finger in protest, says Monday is "the D-day".

According to Zoran Bulatović, "big trouble" can be expected in Novi Pazar unless the strikers get a positive response.

The man who ate half of one of his left hand fingers wants the government in Belgrade "to for once show it is serious".

Of the radical move than he chose to express his protest, Bulatović said:

"It was time for a meal. My meal that day was a finger. Yes, I did it, not as a whim, but simply [because] this is unbearable."

"We have organized this strike in two phases. The first is this, while the second is a mass gathering and a trip to Belgrade to the Republic of Serbia government, along with our families," he continued.

Bulatović's colleague Senada Rebronja said she would follow the finger-cutting "example".

"I am sorry that the [association] president has lost his finger. I will do the same, if our demands are not met."

In the midst of all this, Mayor Đerlek says he is "very worried about what might happen on Monday".

"I will once again send an appeal to the government and the ministries to understand that this is a serious matter and for a relevant member of the government to come to Novi Pazar."

"Novi Pazar deserves to have someone show up in front of these people, to avoid much greater trouble, which would certainly be an embarrassment for the state and all those who are in charge of workers."

The strikers in Novi Pazar are protesting over unpaid wages, dating from 1993 until their employment ended.

Raška factory once employed some 4,000 workers in Novi Pazar and other regional towns. Today, only a hundred remain in the Novi Pazar facilities.