DistantNews
Beaten Worker Claims Public Utility Company is an SNS Front
🇷🇸 Serbia /Conflict & Security

Beaten Worker Claims Public Utility Company is an SNS Front

From N1 Serbia · (10m ago) Serbian Critical tone

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Milan Petrić, a worker at Belgrade's public utility company Gradska čistoća, claims he was physically assaulted by a colleague and suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm.
  • Petrić alleges the attack occurred because he is a whistleblower who previously reported illegal tenders, leading to his dismissal in 2021 and subsequent reinstatement by a court.
  • He and other colleagues reportedly face ongoing "terror, mobbing, and maltreatment," including pressure to attend political rallies and work for the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which Petrić claims has turned the public company into a de facto SNS firm.

N1 Serbia is shedding light on disturbing allegations of political pressure and violence within Belgrade's public utility company, Gradska čistoća. The harrowing account of Milan Petrić, a long-serving employee reinstated after whistleblowing on illegal tenders, paints a grim picture of the work environment.

Navodni kolega Nikola Trajković koga sam video četiri puta u poslednjih mesec dana, iako mi svi moramo da dolazimo da se otkucavamo svaki dan, on to nije radio i pojavio se, navodno mi je nešto rekao, opsovao me, nakon toga me udario dva puta, pao sam na pod, polomio ruku, konstatovane su teže telesne povrede

— Milan PetrićDescribing the physical assault he endured at his workplace.

Petrić's testimony details a brutal physical assault by a colleague, resulting in severe injuries and a broken arm. This incident, he asserts, is a direct consequence of his past actions exposing corruption. His reinstatement by the court, meant to signify justice, has seemingly been overshadowed by continued harassment and intimidation.

Teror, mobing, maltretiranje

— Milan PetrićDescribing the ongoing work environment after his reinstatement.

The narrative extends beyond Petrić's personal ordeal. He and other employees reportedly face relentless "terror, mobing, and maltreatment," coerced into participating in political rallies and engaging in party activities during work hours. This alleged politicization has transformed Gradska čistoća into what Petrić describes as a "de facto SNS firm," undermining its public service mandate.

Teraju ih da idu na mitinge, maltretraju ih kako god stignu, vrše pritisak na njih da se pojave da rade za stranku, ovo se pretvorilo kao da je SNS firma, a ne gradska firma

— Milan PetrićExplaining the alleged political pressures faced by employees.

These claims are echoed by opposition figures, such as Democratic Party councilor Aleksandra Kovač, who alleges that numerous employees are paid salaries and bonuses without performing their duties, instead dedicating their time to political campaigning for the ruling party. The lack of response from the company and city administration to these serious allegations, including unaddressed employee complaints and questionable disciplinary actions, raises significant concerns about accountability and the rule of law in Serbia's public sector.

Više od 50 zaposlenih u gradskoj čistoći se ne pojavljuje na poslu ili se povremeno pojavi, uredno primaju plate i stimulacije da bi radili za potrebe SNS-a

— Aleksandra KovačDetailing the alleged misuse of public company resources for political activities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog