Kolubara Worker Fired After Supporting Students, Claims Political Activity Allowed for Ruling Party Supporters

In Serbia, the line between political engagement and professional conduct is often blurred, especially when it involves the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Goran Perišić's case, as reported by N1 Serbia, exemplifies this stark reality. Perišić, a former worker at the Kolubara mine, found himself jobless after expressing support for students online. His dismissal, framed as "impermissible political activity" and "damaging the company's reputation," stands in sharp contrast to the alleged actions of others.

“

Political activity, apparently, is not forbidden if it supports the SNS.

Perišić points to a letter, purportedly sent to the president, where the Kolubara union president, Radoslav Krsmanović, allegedly admits to participating in election activities, possibly in Aranđelovac. The letter also reportedly implicates the director of Kolubara, Nikola Stanović, in leading these efforts. This alleged admission, if true, suggests a deeply entrenched connection between the union, company management, and the ruling party, a "nexus" that Perišić and others have long warned about.

“

That is a letter sent to the president, sent by the president of the Kolubara union Radoslav Krsmanović, where he publicly admits that they participated in the elections, I assume in Aranđelovac, that the director of Kolubara Nikola Stanović led those elections, that he publicly admits that.

The core of Perišić's grievance lies in the unequal application of rules. He asserts that while his actions, deemed political, led to his termination, those actively involved in supporting the SNS face no repercussions. This selective enforcement of labor laws and company regulations creates a climate of impunity for party loyalists. The narrative from Kolubara and Elektroprivreda Srbije, which initially cited Perišić's actions as grounds for dismissal, now appears hypocritical in light of these new allegations.

“

We have long warned about the nexus between the union and the authorities.

From a Serbian perspective, this story is not just about an individual's job loss; it's a reflection of a systemic issue where political affiliation often dictates professional fate. While Western media might focus on the legal aspects of unfair dismissal, the local context here is the pervasive influence of political parties on state-owned enterprises and the silencing of dissenting voices. The story underscores the challenges faced by ordinary citizens who dare to express views contrary to the ruling party, even in seemingly private actions, while those in power seem to operate with impunity. This is a critical issue for anyone working in or interacting with state-controlled entities in Serbia.

“

The law and the disciplinary action act do not apply equally to everyone, the unions would be sanctioned. We know that they take Kolubara workers to rallies, to protests, that they collect capillary votes.