Precariously employed workers in Serbia die in factory explosion
Seven workers, out of which five were precariously employed at the Prvi partizan ammunition factory in Uzice, Serbia, died in a tragic accident on September 3rd 2009.
As reported by the media, investigators identified the cause of the accident at the factory as gun-powder catching on fire due to static electricity. The gun-powder was handled in a room not approved for such operations as the floor was not made of anti-static materials.
As indicated by the unions, the Labour Inspection is checking health and safety derelictions as well as irregularities in the working contracts, as five of the seven workers who lost their lives were employed through a youth employment agency. Only one of the workers was employed on permanent bases and one was since many years employed on a temporary work contact. Normally a worker can be employed on a temporary contract for one year only.
The workers were hired through youth employment agency, although working at jobs of high risk have lass labour rights and belong to a vulnerable group. Such working relations expose workers with temporary employment contacts, as well as workers employed through youth agency to insecurity and instability.
Official investigation report and Labour Inspection report will provide more information on the working and employment conditions at the factory.
For more secure employment, against precarious work
The EMF Collective Bargaining Policy Conference 2009 launched the 2nd Common Demand:
“For more secure employment, against precarious work”,
which will be included in the collective bargaining demands of all its 75 affiliated trade unions and in future collective bargaining rounds throughout Europe over the next four years.
