Two protests were held in front of the Government last week – first by ‘’JAT’’ airplane mechanics in strike, then by workers of the company ‘’Nisal’’ in Nis. Together with companies ‘’Jugoremedija’’, ‘’Hempro’’, and ‘’Putnik’’, ‘’Nisal’’ was among the first companies announced for the initiation of a litigation for cancellation of privatization contract by this Government immediately after entering its term. A year later, this promise was forgotten, and in front of the Government building in Nemanjina street, workers encountered police squads and complete lack of interest of the Government which promised to curb corruption in privatization process. What has changed in the past year? Also, what lies behind this irrational behavior of the Government towards the strike in ‘’JAT’’? How is it possible that there is no money to pay back salaries to airplane mechanics, moreover, it is cheaper to hire foreign citizens from another continent instead of our qualified workers?

Is the Government going to make public a bill of its endurance to suppress a strike, which by its definition represents an important civilization practice, a legitimate and legal method for workers to achieve their rights? What lies behind the Government perseverance to suppress the strike – the usual vulgar power show off, or forthcoming restructuring and privatization of public enterprises in Serbia? Maybe both? Two weeks ago, the Municipal Court in Zrenjanin ruled the strike of ‘’Jugoremedija’’ workers – shareholders illegal. The Court determined that strikers demands were fulfilled, whereas the strike was ended, therefore ‘’Jugoremedija’’ kept striking for every one else in Serbia, except for the Municipal Court in Zrenjanin. Only few days after this verdict, Vice President of the Government declared the strike of airplane mechanics illegal, nevertheless, when strikers came to talk, the Government took care that there was no one of its members in the building, moreover, that police squads top the number of strikers.

This Government has been made out of political parties which, only last summer, asked the citizens for ‘’one dinar to prevent Government from nicking’’, and signatures for the campaign promising to curb corruption. Five years ago, the same parties shared leaflets, signed contracts with citizens, swearing to work in common interest after Milosevic’s fall. Now days, when workers come in front of the Government to enquire after the a/m contracts and sweet promises, they encounter police squads, a clear message that the Government does not think of them as allies any more. As far as the Government is concerned, changes were a way to come to power. Now the power is being used to prevent that anything else changes in Serbia.