Serbian Freelancers Protesting in Front of National Assembly

Freelancers and online workers in a protest against proposed changes to the tax code.(BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/DS)

The representatives of the Internet Workers’ Association of Serbia set up their camp in front of the National Assembly building in Belgrade in the evening on April 7, thus launching their protest against the government and tax authority.

Having set up two big and dozens of smaller tents, the protesters first blocked and then freed one traffic lane in front of the parliament. According to one of the participants who spoke with BETA’s reporter, a group of people gathered nearby, burning protective masks. Later on, the latter called the communal police, and the officers made the freelancers move their tents off the street to a sidewalk area in front of the parliament building.

Dissatisfied with the government’s proposal of an income taxation model for freelancers, the association organized the protest that, according to their announcement, will last until April 10.

The head of the association, Miran Pogacar, has stated that they have gathered to show their readiness to fight even in cold weather, and that they are to stay there for three days. Pogacar also told BETA’s reporter that a simple solution applicable to all freelancers needs to be found.