As Serbian workers continue to face low wages, insecure jobs and pressure on trade union rights, more companies are recruiting workers from abroad to address labour shortages. Foreign workers can be particularly vulnerable to exploitation, with employers potentially using differences in employment conditions to drive down wages and divide the workforce.
GSM Nezavisnost is determined to prevent this.
In a declaration on the protection of foreign workers in Serbia's metalworking and automotive industries, congress delegates demanded equal pay for equal work, equal trade union and collective bargaining rights, and safe working conditions for everyone.
The declaration also calls for decent accommodation, proper safety training and stronger enforcement of labour standards. It firmly rejects discrimination, exploitation, the withholding of personal documents and restrictions on workers' freedom of movement.
Its message is clear: foreign workers are colleagues, not competitors. Protecting their rights means defending the rights and working conditions of all workers.
Jude Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary, said:
“When employers exploit precarious conditions to divide workers, our answer must be solidarity and strong unions. GSM Nezavisnost’s declaration sends an important message: defending foreign workers’ rights strengthens protection for everyone.”
Stronger unions for a fair industrial future
Under the congress motto ‘Loud, United, Powerful’, delegates also adopted a resolution calling for stronger organising and collective bargaining, fair wages, respect for trade union freedoms and improved workplace safety.
The resolution stresses the need to involve more women and young workers in trade union activities and decision-making. It also demands that the green and digital transitions protect jobs, with workers and their representatives involved in decisions affecting their future.
Congress delegates re-elected Slobodan Miladinović as President of GSM Nezavisnost, alongside a renewed leadership team bringing forward a younger generation of trade unionists.
European solidarity in action
IndustriAll Europe joined the congress to reaffirm its longstanding solidarity with Serbian workers. Discussions highlighted joint solidarity actions at Brose, MTU and Pasubio, demonstrating the importance of cross-border trade union cooperation in defending workers' rights.
In a video message to delegates, industriAll Europe General Secretary Jude Kirton-Darling underlined the importance of cooperation and solidarity across borders.
The congress also presented industriAll Europe with an award recognising its longstanding support, solidarity and friendship.
As GSM Nezavisnost looks to the future, its message resonates well beyond Serbia: workers must not be divided by nationality or origin. Strong unions, equal rights and international solidarity are essential to securing decent work for all.