There is a protest against poverty in Bratislava – Startitup

In Bratislava, people are protesting against poverty today. Together, they call on the government to resolve the current critical situation in Slovakia as quickly as possible. As the portal Aktuality.sk reports, several thousand people have already gathered at the SNP square in Bratislava. The protest, which is called Against Poverty, was organized by the Confederation of Trade Unions. A new type of pandemic. Together, the protesters are calling on the government to urgently take steps and measures to solve the inflation and energy crisis, stabilize the economy and decrease the living standards of the population. According to them, the current assistance to businesses, citizens and municipalities is insufficient. According to them, the situation in other countries is much better. “We have a new type of pandemic here, a poverty pandemic. Every day of inaction by the government and the parliament has consequences,” the protesters say to the government. Among other things, citizens are frustrated and feel hopeless. The deteriorating social and economic situation makes them worry about their future. “Slovak citizen – beggar of Europe,” reads one of the banners in the square. The protesters are asking the government to present measures to “tame” inflation and mitigate its negative impact on the lives of the people of Slovakia. In addition, they ask her to clarify what she expects in the coming months in relation to the energy prices of companies, households and public institutions. Last but not least, citizens ask the government to adopt the state budget for next year. In it, they want to take into account the obligations arising from the adopted collective agreements of a higher level. According to them, the government should not forget the seniors either. Fear for the future A similar protest is also taking place in Prague on Wenceslas Square, where people protesting “against poverty” have gathered. The demonstration was called by the chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) and candidate for president, Josef Středula. At the protest called “Five minutes after twelve”, they demand a fair wage for work, safety and social protection, reports TASR correspondent in Prague. “We don’t gather here because we don’t have a job, but because we fear for our future. We came here to express calmly, strongly and uncompromisingly what we are afraid of,” said Středula. According to him, the trade unions are not satisfied with what is currently happening in the Czech Republic. As an explanation of what brought them here, Středula quoted the former Czech-Slovak and Czech President Václav Havel: “Indifference to others and indifference to the fate of the whole is exactly that , which opens the door to evil.” According to the trade union leader, it is necessary to help both people and companies. “If that doesn’t happen, we have huge problems ahead of us,” added Středula. “The goal of this demonstration is to give a clear signal to the government that everyone who works has the right to a dignified life,” said ČMKOS vice-president Radka Sokolová. Monika Uhlerová, president of the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic, addressed the people on Wenceslas Square from a recorded video greeting. “I greet you from Námestia SNP, where Slovak trade unionists, our citizens, have also come to express their dissatisfaction with the steps taken by the government, or with no steps taken by the government and the parliament towards improving the situation, which is precisely related to the inflation crisis, the energy crisis and the great uncertainty in the near future months,” said Uhlerová. Středula announced the demonstration at a meeting of trade unions that took place on September 5. According to him, the decision to organize such an event was made back in August. Thanks for reading Startitup. If you have an observation or found an error in the article, write to us at [email protected]. Sources: TASR, Aktuality.sk