Belgrade pharmacy employees protest unpaid wages, unvalidated health cards

Employees of Apoteka Beograd gathered outside the City Assembly in Serbia, protesting the continued neglect of their company's critical situation. The union "Opstanak" (Survival) expressed frustration as the future of the pharmacy institution was once again absent from the city parliament's agenda.

Reporters noted a palpable lack of optimism among the workers. The crisis has persisted for 16 months, during which employees have not received any salaries. The pharmacies are reportedly out of essential medications, and the workers' health insurance cards have been unvalidated since June. This dire situation stands in stark contrast to the festive New Year's decorations present at the city administration building.

Symbolically, the employees decorated a Christmas tree outside the assembly with items reflecting their plight: loyalty cards for products they cannot stock, uniforms for colleagues who have left, and unvalidated health insurance cards and professional licenses for those remaining. Vera Popović of the "Opstanak" union stated that their demands, repeated for nearly a year, include access to healthcare and payment of their 16 months of earned wages.

Jelena Šikuljak, also from the union, highlighted that their requests submitted to the presidency have gone unanswered. She criticized the lack of intervention from various ministries, including Health, Government, and Labor, as well as the Belgrade mayor's office, in finding a resolution. The union plans further action, including returning to the presidency and potentially organizing larger protests if their concerns remain unaddressed.

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pa u krug