Union calls mass protests SRNA

Union calls mass protests
SRNA - October 27, 2003

BELGRADE -- Monday – The Independent Serbian Trade Union today called on disgruntled workers to protest during the last three days of October, demanding early elections and a moratorium on the privatisation process.

The union’s Belgrade leader, Vladimir Andric, told a meeting of union officials that it was still not too late for Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic to ask the parliament to call elections in order to alleviate the tension in the country.

“If the prime minister fails to do so,” said Andric, “he will hear the voices of the workers who he hasn’t listened to much so far”.

Andric also urged members of the Nezavisnost union and members of other unions to join the rally.

The president of the Independent Serbian Union, Milenko Smiljanic dismissed government allegations that the protest is political in nature, claiming that the work, bread and union rights were the essence of the workers’ demands.