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2 July, 2007
Some 30 Central European trade unionists from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia participated in the meeting of the ICEM Regional Conference for Central Europe, which took place in Balatonszemes, Hungary, on 5-6 June 2007. The meeting was hosted by Hungarian ICEM affiliate Federation of Trade Unions of the Chemical, Energy and General Workers (VDSZ).
In spite of the many stories in the mainstream media recently on the positive economic growth in the region, reports at the meeting often painted a bleak economic picture for many of the countries, with delegates reporting on complicated and often difficult situations in their countries.
ICEM Regional President Juraj Blahak and ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda
Widespread austerity measures, for example in Hungary and Slovakia, and the effects of years of privatisation and liberalisation, such as what's been happening in Bosnia or Serbia, are taking their toll on trade unions, workers, and ordinary citizens. Even in those countries that are now part of the European Union, economic problems persist. They include problems with immigration of workers to richer countries in Europe, often the result of low national wages. That is the case in Romania and Poland. Another endemic problem is that of high unemployment, for example in the Balkan countries.
There was also good news, however. In several, if not most, Central European countries, unions reported successes, with some winning more and better benefits for workers. Improvements also exist in the area of social dialogue with employers, often after pressure on governments.
Unions in the region reported on the increased cooperation with other national or industry unions, with some constructive mergers processes now underway. Croatia was listed as one such example. Many participants also mentioned the positive role played by the ICEM/IUF South-East Europe union modernisation project.
Juraj Blahak, President of Slovakian ICEM affiliate OZ Chémia SR, was re-elected as the Vice-President for the Central European region. And Elena Petrovici, from Romanian ICEM affiliate Petrom, was re-elected as the president of the Central European Women’s Committee. She was elected at the ICEM Central European Women’s Conference, which took place just prior to the regional conference.