The measures of the Slovakian government are in direct conflict with the spirit of social dialogue that was reaffirmed by European leaders at the Social Summit organised in Porto only last month...
OZ KOVO mobilised around 1,500 members to take part in Saturday’s rally.
IndustriAll Europe has expressed its full support and solidarity with the demonstrators who came together to protest against a series of measures taken by the Slovakian government including:
- Abolishing the retirement age ceiling previously fixed at 64 years
- Cancelling the tax exoneration for the 13th and 14th month salary
- Suppressing the 13th month pension income
- Withdrawing subsidised lunches for children
- Abolishing the possibility to extend collective agreements
- Reducing the minimum monthly wage from €656 to €623
- Disconnecting the minimum wage and allowances from the arduous nature of work
- Introducing restrictions and discrimination of trade unions in the tripartite social dialogue
- Bypassing trade union consultation in the event of legislative change
These measures represent a very serious attack on the welfare state and social rights of Slovak citizens. They will undoubtedly increase hardship for the Slovak people, especially the most vulnerable: low-income workers, pensioners and children, who have already been hit hard by the effects of the pandemic.
As the Slovakian government is preparing further anti-social measures that will increase taxes for workers, further weaken the pension system and increase restrictions on trade unions and their capacity to organise workers, industriAll Europe stands together with its Slovak member organisation in its fight against initiatives that will further increase inequalities and deprive workers of their collective rights.
Luc Triangle, industriAll Europe General Secretary:
“The attacks on trade unions and obvious attempts to bypass them are unacceptable. Instead of undermining trade unions, social dialogue and trade union rights must be strengthened so that common solutions can be found that will facilitate a recovery from the current economic and social crisis caused by the pandemic.
The measures of the Slovakian government are in direct conflict with the spirit of social dialogue that was reaffirmed by European leaders at the Social Summit organised in Porto only last month and the European Pillar of Social Rights to which all EU Member States are signatories.
We fully support the legitimate protests and urge the Slovakian government to return to social dialogue and collective bargaining and to respect basic workers’ rights.”
Contact: Andrea Husen-Bradley (press and communication)