The Military Trade Union “Iron Regiment” informs its members and the public that an
international solidarity campaign has been launched on the LabourStart platform under the title
Serbia: Stop Union Repression in the Serbian Armed Forces. The aim of the campaign is to alert
the international trade union and democratic public to serious violations of trade union and
labour rights within the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, and to apply
pressure for the immediate halt of repression against union representatives and members.
In recent months, the union leadership and members of local union groups have been subjected
to continuous pressure, intimidation, and repressive measures. Union President Ljubiša
Milošević, General Secretary Dragan Simonović, as well as other union representatives,
including the president of the Ravnjak union group, have faced disciplinary proceedings, forced
transfers, demotions, denial of security clearances, and other measures that clearly constitute
retaliation for their trade union activities. In several military units, meetings were held where
employees were openly told that union membership would negatively affect their careers,
promotions, participation in missions, and contract renewals.
According to the complaint, individual members were summoned and pressured to sign requests
to stop the deduction of union dues, even though they had not submitted formal resignations
from the union. In several cities, members were transferred to other units, while union groups
were effectively dismantled through threats and administrative pressure. In one case, an entire
union group was dismantled through a combination of threats of reassignment, blocked
promotions, and negative security clearances.
It is particularly alarming that, according to the complaint, the union was pressured to submit its
demands and public statements for prior approval, accompanied by open threats that it would
“face the same fate” as another union that had been targeted if it did not cooperate. In the same
context, the union was urged to cease donations to military units, with warnings that problems
would follow otherwise. Attempts to place trade union activity under prior control by security
services represent a direct attack on union autonomy and a serious violation of fundamental trade
union freedoms.
The situation culminated in searches of the union president’s home and union offices, the seizure
of union documentation and equipment, and his arrest and several-week detention. During these
actions, union funds and documentation were confiscated, even though the union is a legally
registered entity independent of the employer. The union president was arrested inside a military
barracks after hours of searches, taken away in handcuffs, and held in detention for 16 days.
Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him and his deputy, while certain witnesses were
reportedly pressured to alter their statements.
It is particularly scandalous that the entire union documentation and financial records were
seized during the searches, including equipment belonging to the union. Subsequently, the union
was asked to submit financial reports and detailed information about donations made to Serbian
Armed Forces units, despite the fact that the military has no legal authority over the union’s
financial affairs. An attempt by the employer to control the finances of an independent trade
union sets a dangerous precedent and constitutes a serious violation of the principle of union
independence, guaranteed by domestic law and international conventions on freedom of
association.
The campaign’s demands are clear: the immediate halt of all proceedings against union
representatives and members; the reinstatement of Ljubiša Milošević, Dragan Simonović, and
other union representatives to their previous positions; an end to all forms of pressure against
union groups and members; and a public guarantee from the Ministry of Defence that union
membership will not result in sanctions. We also demand the establishment of genuine social
dialogue in line with the law and democratic standards.
The campaign has been launched on the international trade union platform LabourStart and is
available at the following link:
https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=5811
We call on all union members, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed
Forces, as well as all citizens who believe in freedom of association and the rule of law, to visit
the campaign page and sign the appeal. Every signature is an act of solidarity and a clear
message that trade union rights are not a privilege, but a fundamental democratic right.
Our slogan is: WITH COURAGE — YOU CAN
