Novi Sad Institute Employees Announce Warning Strike Over Financial Crisis

Employees at the Novi Sad Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops are set to begin a warning strike on July 17, protesting a severe financial crisis that threatens the institute's operations and its role in national seed production. The union has repeatedly alerted the institute's management, board, and state institutions to the escalating problems, but conditions have worsened.

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We are not agreeing to the further collapse of the institution.

Salaries are now delayed beyond the deadlines set by internal regulations, signaling serious liquidity issues and a deepening financial crisis. The institute lacks funds for essential investments and production, raising fears of losing an entire production year if the Serbian government does not provide immediate financial support for agricultural work.

This potential collapse could have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the employees but also Serbia's national interests in agriculture and food security. The institute is described as a vital institution for domestic seed production and agricultural advancement.

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If the state does not react urgently, the Institute as a seed house could soon disappear.

The employees are demanding immediate intervention from the Serbian government to stabilize operations, ensure timely salary payments, and organize seed production. They also call for a strategic decision to preserve the institute as the leading national seed company and for the dismissal of the current leadership, advocating for a professional management team composed of experienced institute experts.

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The Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops is not just a scientific research institution and a business entity. It represents one of the key institutions of domestic seed production and agricultural production, whose collapse would have consequences far beyond the interests of employees and affect national interests in the field of agriculture and food security.