In neighboring Croatia, the most sensitive topic of the upcoming changes<\/a> is the flexibilization of indefinite-term employment contracts, designed to allow for easier and quicker terminations. Croatia already had pre-existing instances of abuse with contractual forms, the changes threatening a deepening of those issues. The lawmakers wish to define working from home and \u201cwaiting for employment\u201d, a status that would be used during a state of emergency \u2013 a worker in such a position would maintain uninterrupted employment during a state of emergency, while not working, and receive recompense in the amount equal to \u201cunemployment benefits\u201d, while the state would cover his health, social and pension insurance. Although, following sharp criticism from the European Union and the International Trade Union Confederation, the move was postponed until next year, the discussions are still continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other countries of the region will also have to harmonize their normative acts with European Union, and the debates taking place in the “neighborhood” can provide a quick sketch of the issues that the workers and labor unions will come accross in near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the majority of activities moved online, so too labor organizing adapted to new conditions. In Serbia and Croatia, May Day manifestations were followed online by hundreds of participants. The Socialdemocratic Union (now the Party of the Radical Left \u2013 PRL) in Serbia organized protests with the slogan \u201cWhen Corona is Gone, the Workers will Strike<\/a>\u201d in support of frontline workers. In Croatia, workers gathered to exchange experiences<\/a> on the impacts of the pandemic on their labor, but also, to agree on the twelve demands (including: preservation of jobs, the adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights, as well as, the raising of the minimum wage), all organized by the Croatian Alliance of Independent Unions (SSSH). The demands were based on the SSSH and \u201c12 measures for workers\u201d program, and were sent to the Croatian Government as part of proposed coronavirus crisis response measures and preservation of jobs initiative. With the upcoming changes in the Labor Law, the struggle for these demands will become ever more important for the realization of workers\u2019 rights in Croatia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As expected, in this crisis medical workers were (and continue to be) under the greatest duress. The Sarajevo Canton medical staff strike began back in September 2019, but was stopped with the declaration of the state of emergency. It was re-started last July<\/a>, due to the unsuccessful pay rate negotiations, with 3,500 workers going on strike. In a period of great duress for medical workers, the doctors decided on this step out of great desperation. Patient admittance was only done for the most urgent cases, with the hope of catching the ear and understanding of the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, medical nurses<\/a> in South Mitrovica, along with the technical and security staff<\/a> at the Kosovo University Clinical Center in Pri\u0161tina, began a protest this October, after realizing they were not part of the Government\u2019s short-term rescue package. Money was not the only question, as their demands included additional personal protection equipment (PPE), medical and other indispensable equipment for the duration of the pandemic. Technical staff underlined that due to exposure to medicinal waste they may be at an even greater threat of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar demands were made by staff of retirement homes<\/a> in Slovenia, who protested last April due to lack of PPE and an attempt by the authorities to transform the retirement homes into makeshift hospitals. The Slovenian Ministry of Health characterized their protest as \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medical workers in Serbia appealed to the public through a different form of protest \u2013 a petition and an open letter to the Government. Close to three thousand the medical workers signed the \u201cUnited Against COVID-19<\/a>\u201d proclamation, by which, following numerous scandals, they demanded the publication of precise number of infectious cases, hospitalizations, and deaths; they demanded government responsibility for the early opening of the lockdown, including the replacement of the national COVID-19 Crisis headquarters. The proclamation was followed by news of dismissals, threats and terminations of the signatory medical staff. The signatories were joined by lawyers, social workers and artists. Except for a symbolic \u201csocial dialogue\u201d, there were no other positive results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The electric power supply wasn\u2019t brought into question during the pandemic thanks to the coal miners who labored to ensure enough coal supply was provided for the thermal power plants. However, all their work and dedication didn\u2019t result in a deserved reply. The coal miners of Trep\u010da<\/a> and Novo Brdo<\/a> were forced to strike due to not receiving their wages. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get paid, we have no more food left\u201d, protested the miners, while Trep\u010da mining corporation tabulated record extraction of 14,700 tons of coal. The salaries were eventually paid, but not without a significant delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Supporting the fact that the miners’ situation is miserable, goes the stat that every fourth miner suffers from some kind of invalidity gained during a lifetime of hard work. With the load of the crisis being shifted on the backs of the miners, without respecting their basic rights, their already unfavorable position became detrimental. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the Tuzla (\u201cKreka\u201d) and Zenica-Doboj Canton black coal mines, 11,500 workers at seven mines went on strike due to unpaid wages<\/a>. The strike lasted several days and was successfully ended with payment of the delayed wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The border closings and the travel bans had immense consequences for the transportation and tourism workers. In June, Ljubljana Airport announced layoffs for a quarter of the workforce (a total of 120 employees), due to the pandemic. The news generated sharp criticism, while the airport employee union responded with a protest<\/a>, asserting that the airport generated millions in revenue over the last few years. Supporting this claim is the ongoing multi-million euro construction of a new terminal. For the sake of comparison, the salaries of the 120 employees to be laid-off are about \u20ac300,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Serbian tourism workers organized a \u201c10 minutes to save tourism<\/a>\u201d protest in multiple locations during August. An appeal was issued requesting government assistance, pointing out the loses and harm caused by the travel ban and the non-existent tourism season abroad. Their Macedonian colleagues, however, went a step further when they announced<\/a> countrywide protests and road blocks, seeking support and protections from the government. However, although a new government has formed, the Ministry of the Economy still ignores all appeals for assistance by the tourism industry workers. Tourism agencies are close to bankruptcy, yet there\u2019s no solution in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A delayed payout of wages is probably the most cited reason for labor protests in the region. Imperiled worker rights and undignified labor in the Yugoslav region seem to be more the rule, than not. The pandemic and its consequences further motivated employers to skirt the laws. That\u2019s why workers protested at \u201cSimon Voyage<\/a>\u201d in Berane (the company owner is a high functionary in the then ruling party, DPS), a record setter for not paying employees wages (24). The same can be said of \u201cGorenje<\/a>\u201d in Slovenia, with unpaid and uneven work bonuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Highly ranked among those not respecting the workers’ rights in Serbia is the company \u201cJura\u201d. They came into focus of the public due to a coronavirus outbreak, swiftly becoming a hotspot; at the same time the company amply demonstrated their disdain for the workers and their rights. In April, due to the rising number of cases and non-compliance with protective measures, they organized a protest<\/a> in front of the factory gates in the city of Leskovac. Attempting to find a solution, the authorities joined in, however, their lack of success demonstrated the weak position of the government vis-\u00e0-vis Big Business. With the arrival of the second wave, new complaints were filed against the company, and the Ministry of Labor still refused to protect the workers and their rights. A similar issue came to prominence at \u201cMagna Seating<\/a>\u201d in Od\u017eaci; following the death of six employees from coronavirus, the workers went on strike, demanding higher protection standards and improved hygiene conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the wider region, workers engaged in protests due to unpaid wages and contributions. In the Croatian company \u201cBrodotrogir Hull<\/a>\u201d, the workers protested due to the large amount of debts and the unsigned collective work agreement. Unpaid earnings proved a problem in North Macedonia, as well; with protests at \u201cTeteks Yarn<\/a>\u201d, a wool and yarn producer; at Bargali<\/a> in \u0160tip, “Eurokompozit<\/a>“, and the public company Tetovo, for unpaid wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, in North Macedonia, the workers at JP \u010cisto\u0107a i zelenilo went on a warning strike, seeking higher wages, PPE and winter equipment. Their colleagues in Pljevlja county, Montenegro, after not getting paid for a year continued in August with the interrupted strike<\/a>, that began back in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pandemic has proven how indispensable some workers are for unimpeded functioning of society. Those that were once invisible, now became essential. What was revealed is that when essential workers raise their voice capitalism reveals its weaknesses. However, Capital\u2019s capacity to break and isolate workers’ uprisings remains strong, using the added excuse of pandemic emergency powers and the upcoming economic crisis. Considering the similarity of the issues faced by the workers in ex-Yugoslavia, maybe it\u2019s time to insist on increased regional cooperation and solidarity, to preserve workers’ rights and to overcome with joint forces the interests and the might of capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation from Serbian: L.P.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.masina.rs\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/vozac.jpg\")
<\/a>Only urgent cases get admitted<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.masina.rs\/eng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/radnik-hala.jpg\")
<\/a>Record mining of coal, but with no pay<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The buses remain parked<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Corona in factories<\/h4>\n\n\n\n