BWI's COVID-19 Solidarity Initiative felt in Serbia

The Trade Union of Workers in Construction and Industry of Building Materials of Serbia (SRGIGMS), with the help of BWI’s COVID-19 Solidarity Initiative, provided workers employed at the brick factory Ltd. Sloga IGM in Novi Pazar, Serbia personal protective equipment (PPE) to help them ensure their good health and safety even as they continue their work during the pandemic. 

SRGIGMS President Sasa Torlakovic and Vice President Milan Mitrovic personally supervised the distribution of the health and safety kits on 4 July after being informed by Fikret Bejtović, President of the Council of the Confederation of Autonomous trade Unions of Serbia for Novi Pazar, Mirsad Hasanagić, President of the Trade Union at Ltd. "Sloga" Novi Pazar and Sloga General Manager Cetin Enis about the difficult situation faced by the brick workers and their families in Novi Pazar.

Torlakovic urged other national branch unions to urgently aid and support Novi Pazar’s workers and residents.   

BWI Pan-Europe Regional Representative Coen Van Deer welcomed SRGIGMS’ efforts in helping fellow workers. “I’m glad and proud of their solidarity work. BWI’s COVID-19 Solidarity Initiative greatly contributed in helping unions reach out to workers in dire need. This shows that active unions are vital for the workers. There are no “safe havens” if the unions are not there to protect workers, especially during times of crisis.”