ZAGREB, May 2, 2018 – International Workers’ Day, observed on 1 May, was traditionally marked in Zagreb’s Maksimir Park on Tuesday under the slogan “For reforms, for the people”.
At the event in Maksimir organised by the Federation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) and the Association of Croatian Trade Unions (MHS), unionists demanded a change in the economic and social policy which would benefit citizens and workers and not only the capital and the political elite. They also asked for a more just distribution of social wealth, a more efficient health system, the judiciary and the public administration.
The unions started the day with a joint union protest march under, demanding fairer wages and better working conditions, a dignified life for elderly citizens, quality education and accessible health system, effective judiciary and public administration and changed relations toward and within the EU.
SSSH leader Mladen Novosel said unions have shown that they are ready to fight so that everyone could have a better life. He asked for a better social dialogue, warning that otherwise unions would take it to streets.
MHS president Vilim Ribić advocated changes to the current economic policy, saying that the policy was wrong and that it served the interests of the capital and leading to the emigration of labour.
Milan Tomičić of the Croatian Pensioners’ Trade Union said the pension reform was covered by a veil of secrets and that pensioners demanded the adjustment of pensions.
Unions from Pula, Rijeka, Varaždin, Čakovec, Karlovac, Sisak, Slavonski Brod and Osijek joined the protest march in Zagreb.
The date May 1 was chosen for International Workers’ Day to commemorate the Haymarket affair, which occurred in Chicago on 4 May 1886. The police were trying to disperse a public assembly during a general strike for the eight-hour workday, when an unidentified person threw a bomb at the police. The police responded by firing on the workers, killing four protesters.
Croatia marked International Workers’ Time for the first time in 1890.
In Zagreb, numerous residents gathered in Maksimir Park for the traditional celebration of International Workers’ Day, where representatives of political parties gave them carnations.
The city organised the event, including 60,000 free meals and music.
International Workers’ Day was also marked in other Croatian cities.
