Institute union leader fired after exposing problems, claims attempt to silence criticism

Dragan Pantović, the president of the trade union at Serbia's Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, has been fired after speaking out about the institution's problems. The union has organized a warning strike, demanding his return to work and protesting the institute's severe financial distress and precarious future.

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The reason for dismissal is irrelevant; the real reasons are that we have been pointing out the problems that have befallen our Institute for months and years.

Pantović stated that his dismissal is a tactic to silence him and hide the institute's true condition. He described the once-renowned agricultural science center as "financially devastated" and "on the brink of collapse." The strike, which began with demands for addressing the institute's issues, now includes the reinstatement of Pantović.

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Once a temple of agricultural science in Serbia and beyond, today its foundations are shaken, we are financially devastated and brought to the brink of ruin.

Workers have reportedly not received salaries, and essential production resources are lacking. Pantović expressed irony in thanking the institute's management, particularly the "illegally appointed" chairwoman of the board, for his dismissal. He believes his firing was intended to quell worker dissent and their legitimate demands for the revitalization of the institute, which he deems strategically important for Serbia.

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I must be ironic and thank the Institute's management, the illegally appointed chairwoman of the board who insisted that I be removed from this position, to get fired, so that she could silence the workers' rebellion and their justified demands to revitalize this house which is of strategic importance for Serbia.

Pantović claims the management has not contacted him since his dismissal. He refused to sign the termination notice, which he considers baseless and nonsensical, citing "disregard for work discipline" and "failure to follow a superior's orders" as stated reasons. The union has previously appealed to the government, the president, relevant parliamentary committees, and the State Audit Institution regarding the institute's situation.

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I consider it unfounded and meaningless. It states disrespect for work discipline, failure to execute a superior's order.