Belgrade Fair Accused of Retaliating Against 'Disobedient' Workers

The Belgrade Fair is allegedly becoming a site of retribution against employees deemed "disobedient," according to Ana Gođevac, vice-president of the Belgrade branch of the Freedom and Justice Party (SSP). Gođevac claims that a systematic restructuring process is being used to punish workers who do not support what she describes as a "political wing of an organized crime group."

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All those who are not part of the political wing of an organized crime group – or refuse to support it – are brutally punished through the new systematization: people with decades of experience are moved to lower jobs and degraded with smaller salaries, while the suitable are rewarded.

"All those who are not part of the political wing of an organized crime group – or refuse to support it – are brutally punished through the new systematization," Gođevac stated. She alleges that individuals with decades of experience are being moved to lower positions, facing salary reductions and general degradation, while those considered "suitable" are being promoted and rewarded.

Gođevac also raised questions about the qualifications of Nikola Banković, the acting director of the Belgrade Fair. She noted his previous experience managing a cafe and a parking lot, contrasting it with the fair's 89-year tradition. "What can be expected from such personnel, in whose hands the 89-year-long tradition of the Belgrade Fair has been placed?" she asked, implying a lack of competence at the helm.

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What can be expected from such personnel, in whose hands the 89-year-long tradition of the Belgrade Fair has been placed?

Furthermore, Gođevac expressed concern over the alleged marginalization of the Belgrade Fair. She stated that the institution, which has hosted significant events like New Year's fairs, book fairs, and auto shows, is being sidelined for the EXPO project and has had its land and halls taken for the Belgrade Waterfront development. The SSP advocates for protected employee status for those who report political pressure, similar to whistleblower protection, to prevent job loss or demotion for refusing political coercion.

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We from the Freedom and Justice Party advocate for the introduction of protected employee status for those who report or prove political pressure, following the model of whistleblower protection, so that such a person cannot lose their job or be degraded for refusing political blackmail, except in cases of gross violation of work duties not related to reporting pressure.