EU unions rally in Ljubljana demanding pay hikes
Thousands of trade union members from across Europe marched on Saturday in central Ljubljana at a rally demanding higher wages and better conditions for workers.
By Agencies |
LJUBLJANA: Thousands of trade union members from across Europe marched on Saturday in central Ljubljana at a rally demanding higher wages and better conditions for workers.
Police said some 10,000 people and organisers said around 35,000 people participated in the march which paralysed traffic in the city centre for over three hours.
"We want decent minimal wages, we want equality between men and women, an end to speculation and equal rights and pay for migrant workers," European Trade Union Confederation chief John Monks told a crowd waving flags and balloons.
Workers from most of the EU member states plus Croatia, Russia and other European states had arrived in Ljubljana by plane, bus or train and crowded the streets of the Slovenian capital bearing banners calling for a pay hike.
Slogans such as "we demand a pay raise," or "higher wages in Europe," or "we want higher purchasing power" appeared on banners borne by the marchers as they snaked towards the centre along Ljubljana's main Slovenska avenue.
ETUC called the demonstration in Slovenia, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, to send a strong message to EU finance ministers and central bankers as they met nearby in Brdo pri Kranju at what was once the holiday residence of former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.
Police said some 10,000 people and organisers said around 35,000 people participated in the march which paralysed traffic in the city centre for over three hours.
"We want decent minimal wages, we want equality between men and women, an end to speculation and equal rights and pay for migrant workers," European Trade Union Confederation chief John Monks told a crowd waving flags and balloons.
Workers from most of the EU member states plus Croatia, Russia and other European states had arrived in Ljubljana by plane, bus or train and crowded the streets of the Slovenian capital bearing banners calling for a pay hike.
Slogans such as "we demand a pay raise," or "higher wages in Europe," or "we want higher purchasing power" appeared on banners borne by the marchers as they snaked towards the centre along Ljubljana's main Slovenska avenue.
ETUC called the demonstration in Slovenia, currently holding the rotating EU presidency, to send a strong message to EU finance ministers and central bankers as they met nearby in Brdo pri Kranju at what was once the holiday residence of former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.
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