А LETTER OF APPEAL FROM RTUC SOLIDARNOST TO THE WESTERN BALKANS SUMMIT

8/27/2015

The Regional Trade Union Council "Solidarnost" on the occasion of the Western Balkans Summit, held in Vienna on 27.8.2015, on which leaders from the region and the EU shall be present and where the main theme is to encourage the European path of the region and to try to find a solution to the problem of the migrants, is sending a Letter of appeal to European Commissioner, Mr. Johannes Hahn.

The Regional Trade Union Council "Solidarnost" is an organization composed of trade union federations in the region of the former Republic of Yugoslavia: the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Trade Unions of Montenegro, the Association of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia, the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Macedonia, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Slovenia and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia-Nezavisnost.

The Regional Council is a free form of cooperation that allows communication between the unions on the basis of their independence and equality on various TU problems and exchange of experiences and good practices in solving them. Chairing with the Regional Council each year varies, depending on the headquarters of the union.

This year the chairmanship is given to the unions from the Republic of Macedonia, and as a Chairmen of the Council is elected PhD Zhivko Mitrevski, President of the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia.

In addition we present you the integral Letter of appeal from RSS "Solidarnost" addressed to the European Commissioner, Johannes Hahn:

Dear Mr. Commissioner,
In the light of Conference on the Western Balkans which is being held in Austria this week, allow me to address you on behalf of the members of the Regional Trade Union Council "Solidarnost".

Taking into account the far-reaching consequences of the migrant and refugee crisis and especially the socio- economic aspect, we do express our concern regarding the manner of its resolution by the international community. In the interests of the respect of the European Charter of Human Rights, Solidarity and Humanity, we sincerely deem that the European Union countries shall more intensively express these values and both financially and operationally to help the countries facing the huge number of migrant refugees, especially the Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Serbia that are not in a position independently to handle with this crisis. Also, we expect from the European Union to be actively engaged in addressing the problems associated with unemployment, especially youth unemployment, economic crisis and promotion of the social dialogue.

Dear Mr. Commissioner,
RSS “Solidarnost” welcomes the Conference and by this appeal, the unions, members of the Regional Trade Union Council "Solidarnost", express their readiness and experience to engage in dealing with the crisis and sincerely hope that this conference shall represent a kind of a contribution and shall enable EU acceptance of the non- European countries.

In Solidarity,
Chairman of „Solidarnost“
PhD Zhivko Mitrevski