The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro extends its congratulations on May 1st – International Workers’ Day – to all employees in Montenegro and, on this occasion, issues the following
P U B L I C S T A T E M E N T
International Workers’ Day, as a symbol of solidarity and social justice, reminds us that the struggle for workers’ rights is ongoing and must be continuous. On this May 1st, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (UFTUM) pays tribute to all the brave workers in Montenegro who have defended, preserved, and advanced employees’ rights through their trade union engagement and who continue to stand at the forefront of decent work.
Increasingly uncertain working conditions, the challenges of the digital age, the rise of the far-right both globally and often domestically, the dominance of aggressive neoliberal capitalism, and the erosion of civil and human rights warn us that we must fight even more strongly, in solidarity and with determination, against the demonization of hard-won rights achieved through the legacy of May Day.
As in previous years, UFTUM reminds on this most significant day for the world of labor that the rights to work, to decent, human, and fair working conditions, and the right to organization and associations are fundamental human rights.
Again this year, on International Workers’ Day, we affirm our unwavering commitment to achieving our strategic goal: building Montenegro as a state of social justice and well-being for all its citizens. We will continue our efforts to improve working conditions, build a society of equal opportunities for all, develop authentic and equitable social dialogue, establish a system of accountability at all levels, ensure fair and sustainable development, humanize labor, protect the environment, fight corruption, oppose the dominance of political, religious, or other affiliations in the exercise of fundamental rights, protect national interests, eradicate poverty, and treat the right to housing as a basic human right!
A year after launching the campaign for the implementation of UFTUM’s congress resolutions on the urgent need for housing policy reform and the protection of economically vital national enterprises, with demonstrated support from citizens and a significant portion of the NGO sector, we are more determined than ever to continue collecting signatures to submit a Proposal for a National Referendum. We send a clear message to decision-makers: the final word on these matters will come from the people, given the persistent absence of political will. In the current context, where non-transparent decisions threaten our space, resources, and wealth, our campaigns “Not Everything is for Sale!” and “Social Housing for Peaceful Living!” gain additional relevance, meaning, and importance. UFTUM will vigorously oppose all activities that may, in any way, contribute to the unfortunate transition and privatization practices we have endured for decades. Preserving jobs, improving living standards, protecting the environment, and ensuring access to resources for every citizen of Montenegro will be the sole guiding principles of UFTUM’s future work.
Having traditionally marked International Workers’ Day since 2009, this year UFTUM celebrated the holiday by organizing the first May Day Trade Union Academy. The academy brought together social partners, representatives of top state institutions, the NGO sector, and media professionals to highlight the importance of this holiday and the significance of trade union and workers’ struggle. Aiming to make the May Day Trade Union Academy a traditional way of commemorating International Workers’ Day, this year UFTUM awarded, for the first time, the May Day Trade Union Award to the most outstanding trade union activist and to the most outstanding trade union or trade union organization, both of which have made a unique and significant contribution to improving the socio-economic status of our members and all employees, strengthening the trade union movement, and the broader labor struggle. The commission responsible for selecting the May Day Trade Union Award recipients, through a very challenging task, awarded this year’s May Day Trade Union Award for the most outstanding activist to Jugoslav Marković, Vice President of the Unified Union of Employees of the Post of Montenegro, while the May Day Trade Union Award for the most outstanding union was awarded to the Telekom Montenegro Union.”
