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Metalworkers Demand Urgent Meeting with the Government

The Commission of the Metalworkers’ Union of Croatia at the shipyard 3. maj has today requested an urgent meeting with representatives of the Government to discuss the difficult situation at the Rijeka shipyard, and for the representatives of the workers to receive information about the Government’s further intentions regarding the privatization of the shipyard.

In a letter to Prime Minister Zoran Milanović and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Radimir Čačić, on behalf of more than 2400 workers and their families, around 600 subcontracted workers, and suppliers, the unionists are demanding that new jobs be secured for 3. maj to enable regular payment of salaries, and that the Government and the Ministry of Economy inform them about the future fate of the shipyard.
The situation at the Rijeka shipyard is extremely serious; parts of the production processes are already without work, and workers from those parts have been reassigned to the final stages of ship construction. There is less and less work, so we have nothing more to put on our slips, as not a single ship has been contracted, warn the unionists.

The union decided today that after the workers’ gathering, which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, a meeting of union members will be held the following day at the shipyard, to convey to the Management, the owner, and the Government that workers want to work and live from their work, and that any potential bankruptcy is unacceptable.

We call on all workers of 3. maj and subcontractors from all companies to join together in the fight against the lack of contracts and unpaid salaries, against the closure of 3. maj, and against the policies that have led us to this situation, say the unionists.
They also call on union members to prepare for participation in the protest gathering jointly organized by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia and the Croatian Trade Union Association next Thursday, November 22, at Markov trg in Zagreb.