Minister promises "better times," unions protest

Minister promises "better times," unions protest

BACKA PALANKA, BELGRADE -- Movement of Socialists leader and cabinet minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Friday that "better times" are coming in Serbia "faster than expected."

According to him, this result has been achieved "thanks to the good results of the Serbian government and the efforts of the whole society."

"An increase of salaries and pensions was not expected in the first year of reforms, but thanks to the effort of the whole society, we have a chance to hope for that," said Vulin.

Vulin, who holds the labor portfolio in the government of Aleksandar Vucic, spoke during an event his party organized in Backa Palanka to mark May 1, Labor Day in Serbia.

Welcoming the numerous citizens gathered at the Tikvara resort, Vulin said that a year ago "criticism of the new Labor Law was heard, because it would supposedly further increase unemployment in Serbia."

"I listened when they said that the Labor Law was no good, that Vucic was no good, that the government was no good. And now, when we are increasing salaries and pensions, will somebody apologize and admit their mistakes," asked Vulin and "stressed that one of the most important success of the current government is that it created conditions for this country to never again be ruled by tycoons."

He also said that Serbia will not only preserve the existing level of employment and social rights, but that "an effort will be made to improve them."

Journalists then asked for comment on the opinion of the citizens' ombudsman that the labor market situation in Serbia is poor, and Vulin said it was "an economic thing," adding that unemployment rate was now "16.8 percent" - "which is significantly lower...