Teachers' protest, Belgrade, Nov. 1 2024 (BETAPHOTO/MILAN ILIC)
A group of non-governmental organizations criticized on Sept. 5 the recent wave of layoffs of education workers as a result of their having taken a positive stance on student and civil protests, and said that the labor and social rights of employees in Serbia needed to be protected more strongly.
The organizations said in a statement that such practice was not just a work and legal problem, rather it could constitute the criminal offense of violation of equality, if contracts really had not been extended due to an employee's different beliefs.
"Keeping in mind that there is indication that contracts have not been extended not because there is no more need for staff of the same profile, but rather because of an employee's personal opinion, a discrimination lawsuit can be filed, if the reason is political affiliation, union engagement or personal views, a report can be filed with the Labor Inspectorate and the education inspectorate, or a complaint to the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality," adds the release.
The statement was jointly issued by the Center for the Politics of Emancipation, A11 - Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, the Center for Dignified Work, and ROZA - Association for Women's Labor Rights.
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