Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (USSCG) has announced a rally in front of the Government building for tomorrow as part of an escalation of its campaign on behalf of more than 100,000 workers who have lost the basic rights previously guaranteed under the General Collective Agreement (GCA).

USSCG Secretary General Srdja Kekovic said that the GCA has not been in force since 30 April, solely due to the inaction of Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.

“As a result, more than 100,000 of our colleagues have lost the basic rights guaranteed by that document. It is simply unbelievable that we allowed, and I particularly address the Government here, such an important document to be removed from the legal framework. We are already receiving reports from colleagues in the field that employers are beginning to exploit the situation,” Kekovic said at a press conference.

He said that since December last year, the USSCG has been fighting to conclude a new GCA that would include negotiated increases in job complexity coefficients and raise the coefficient base value from €90 to €100 gross.

“We understand that the Prime Minister and the Government are buying time. Every month means savings of €8 million to €10 million for him, and those savings are being made where they should not be made – at the expense of employees – while hundreds of millions of euros are being spent on matters that are not currently a priority,” Kekovic said.

He added that the USSCG has information suggesting that the Government plans to introduce those wage increases, possibly at a level significantly higher than a €100 coefficient base value, shortly before upcoming elections.

“We have extended a hand in good faith throughout this period. We have repeatedly said that we did not want to radicalize our struggle for workers’ rights. However, the time has come when we must organize this protest and, if nothing more concrete happens afterwards, continue our fight,” Kekovic said.

He also rejected the Government’s claim that the USSCG is seeking wage increases only for public-sector employees.