European Union legislators discussed the “modern slavery” in Serbia on Thursday (December 16), especially the report on forced labor at the Chinese Linglong tire factory in Zrenjanin. With the support of all major political groups, a resolution condemning China’s influence was passed.
resolutionIt was passed with 586 votes in favor and 53 votes against, expressing concerns about China’s growing influence in Serbia and the entire Western Balkans.
It expressed concern about the working conditions of Linglong Tire Factory and called on the Serbian authorities to “carefully investigate the case and ensure that the factory respects basic human rights.”
In recent years, China has invested billions of dollars in Serbia, hoping to expand its economic footprint in the Western Balkans.
But Belgrade has repeatedly been accused of allowing Chinese companies to have autonomy in operations.
Last November A-11 “Economic and Social Rights Initiative” reportThe Serbian NGO stated that about 500 Vietnamese workers arrived in Zrenjanin in March, April and May this year.
They reported poor working conditions, including lack of labor rights and respect for local employment laws, which the Serbian government condemned as nothing more than a personal attack on the country.
These workers were brought from Vietnam through an agency that charged workers between US$2,200 and US$4,000 for services, including transportation, visas and accommodation. Allegedly, these workers were subsequently hired by China Energy Engineering Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd. The agreement did not include the start date and “cash on hand” payment.
The Serbian leader refuted Linglong’s allegations of malfeasance.
last month A group of European Parliament members appealed “Take immediate action to end modern slavery in Serbia.” This effort soon received broad support from the European Parliament.
Development coincides with Serbia massively protests Rio Tinto’s mining projects and new legislation on expropriation and referendumAnd the anger after the European Commission decided to open a new cluster in the EU membership negotiations with Serbia.
Member of the European Parliament Viola von Ramon-Taubadel (German Green Party) stated that the EU should not open a new chapter of EU membership, but should support Serbian democratic voices and show them that the EU is not prepared to compromise on its standards.
Member of the European Parliament Tonino Picula (S&D, Croatia) said, “In a country that aspires to join the European Union, we have to talk about slave labor and human trafficking. This is a shame.”
According to Picula, the decision to open the “green cluster” negotiations with Serbia coincides with a large-scale protest against the government’s legislative proposal, which “will dangerously endanger the environment and harm the health of citizens”, which is “ironically ironic.” “.
The resolution condemned the deterioration of media freedom and the increase in abusive language, intimidation and even hate speech against members of parliamentary opposition, independent intellectuals, non-governmental organizations, journalists and civil society.
Beautifying war criminals in Serbia is another issue raised by members of the European Parliament.
“Another source of concern is the mural by Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal in Belgrade, which has so far been unwilling to remove it permanently,” Picula said.
according to ReportA mural in Belgrade praising war criminal Ratko Mladic is guarded by a young man in a hoodie, and it is cleaned up every time it is defaced—it seems that no one in power has the will or the courage to remove it. Remove.
Many people think this is a symbolic moment, which determines what Serbia wants to show to the world after the conflict in the 1990s.
[Edited by Frédéric Simon]
