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21 August, 2000The Independent Metalworkers' Union of Kosovo (SPMK) has just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
KOSOVO: Attending the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Independent Metalworkers' Union of Kosovo (SPMK), on August 17 in Pristina, for the International Metalworkers' Federation was Toni Ferigo. In his speech Ferigo explained the initiatives of the IMF in the Balkan region:
"We are conscious of the complexity of the situation in Kosovo and of the great problems in Kosovar society. As we said in the IMF-EMF conference in Skopje in April, we want the unions to have a role in the process known as the 'Stability Pact'. For that reason, it is necessary to have strong cooperation between unions in the Balkans to fight any discrimination. Respect for human rights is the basis for making democratic institutions and fair economic development."
Hasan Abazi, the president of SPMK, said he completely agreed with the fact that one has to consider the Balkan region as a whole. "Without cooperation there is no future. The post-war situation is very difficult in Kosovo. High unemployment is one of the main problems. We have to create conditions for opening factories and modernising industry. Kosovo has a wealth of raw materials, but technologies are very old, due to lack of investment in the last ten years. We need help from more experienced unions. The seminar organised in July with IG Metall of Germany and the participation of the Slovenian Metal Union are good examples."
"We are conscious of the complexity of the situation in Kosovo and of the great problems in Kosovar society. As we said in the IMF-EMF conference in Skopje in April, we want the unions to have a role in the process known as the 'Stability Pact'. For that reason, it is necessary to have strong cooperation between unions in the Balkans to fight any discrimination. Respect for human rights is the basis for making democratic institutions and fair economic development."
Hasan Abazi, the president of SPMK, said he completely agreed with the fact that one has to consider the Balkan region as a whole. "Without cooperation there is no future. The post-war situation is very difficult in Kosovo. High unemployment is one of the main problems. We have to create conditions for opening factories and modernising industry. Kosovo has a wealth of raw materials, but technologies are very old, due to lack of investment in the last ten years. We need help from more experienced unions. The seminar organised in July with IG Metall of Germany and the participation of the Slovenian Metal Union are good examples."