The "Debeli Brijeg" border crossing was blocked for an hour today by the workers of the "Dr. Simo Milošević" Institute, together with citizens, patients, representatives of the Municipality and the Municipal Assembly of Herceg Novi.
The Municipality of Herzegnov announced that the Government of Montenegro was told that if the demands of the workers are not met by March 15, the road blockade will end in front of the competent institutions in Podgorica.
The President of the Trade Union of the Dr. Simo Milošević Institute, Marija Obradović, reminded that the workers had not received their salary for three months, and appealed to the holders of executive power that, if they are truly responsible to their citizens, they must take into account the fact that the Institute is an umbrella rehabilitation institution and a key institution of health tourism.
"The responsible government, if it has expert economists, must know the potential of the Institute, which has been maintained until now thanks to the dedicated work and enthusiasm of its employees, and has survived on the market, even though it has been stolen and taken from it for decades. A lot of money spent in Podgorica was earned in the Institute. Please get involved professionally and responsibly and make the right decisions. Privatization is not an alternative for us, especially when you take into account how other companies in Herceg Novi have fared: HTP Boka, Adriatic Shipyard Bijela, Hospital Meljine", said Obradović and appealed to the decision-makers to show that they have a vision of how to preserve what is a brand of Montenegro for a long time.
The Municipality reminded that at the 1th regular session of the local parliament on March 15, the councilors unanimously supported the workers of the Institute, and adopted five conclusions addressed to the Government of Montenegro, with a stated deadline - until March XNUMX. "Otherwise, the non-institutional struggle will be radicalized and will take place on the streets of Podgorica".
Lawyer and councilor in the local parliament, Zoran Lazarević, emphasized that this is a joint struggle of the Institute and the Municipality of Herceg Novi, in order to preserve the biggest brand of the city, and reminded of the adopted conclusions according to the Government of Montenegro:
"The conclusions refer to the necessity to pay an advance of 1,6 million euros in a more urgent procedure, to increase the service provided by the Institute to fund patients by at least 40 percent, to agree on a new collective agreement as soon as possible, and for the Government to take all necessary actions in order to resolved the issue of the Institute towards Jugobanca", said Lazarevic and emphasized that these are completely realistic goals.
He added that there are not many ways to solve the problem - either privatization will be done, or the state will act decisively and completely take control of the Institute and put all the demands of workers and management into a realistic sphere.
The president of the Trade Union Organization of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Nebojša Radonjić, addressed the audience and said that "it is a shame what is happening in Montenegro in the 21st century, and that is that the "white coats" are not getting paid for their work".
The Institute's workers were supported by the Medical Chamber of Montenegro, the National Association of Multiple Sclerosis Patients, the Union of Civil Servants and State Employees, as well as Telekom workers who are also fighting for their rights.
The President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Stevan Katic, the Vice Presidents of the local government, Miloš Konjević and Mirko Mustur, the President of the Municipal Assembly of Herceg Novi, Ivan Otović, representatives of the city services and companies, and councilor clubs in the local parliament were also present at the protest meeting today.
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