Deindustrijalizacija i radnički otpor - Pokret za slobodu

terests and demands of the actual workers' Strike Committees [at thefactory level]. We've put some real pressure on the government, andwe'll continue to do so. We're hoping for positive results.However, if this question is hinting at the success achieved in light ofthe recent offer by the owner of 'Zastava-Elektro,' Ranko Dejanovic, toreturn the factory to the ownership of the workers (following 6-monthsof radical strike action)... I have to let you know that we've rejected theowner's offer. The negotiations with the government are always tiedupin avoiding a number of traps that they're trying to set for us. Thisoffer [from Dejanovic] is one of these traps, even though the mediapresented it as a big victory for the workers. In fact, all they're givingus is a factory that the current owner has overburdened with seriousdebts and mortgage issues. It would be only a matter of days beforesuch a factory faced bankruptcy. It would be hard to resume productionso long as the state refuses to cancel all the debts accumulated byDejanovic (debts accumulated in partnership with functionaries fromthe Privatization Agency, which allowed him to retain ownership for solong - even though he was clearly violating his obligations [under theterms of the privatization agreement]).The struggle for the future of 'Zastava-Elektro' continues to thisvery moment. Today, workers will again hold a protest in front of thePrivatization Agency (unless, of course, the police again tries to preventbus-companies from driving the workers from Raca to Belgrade).In the case this happens, we'll again have to blockade either the communalpolice station, the city council, or the main railway-line nearRaca.What is the position of women and minorities in the workersmovement?There is no exclusion in this movement of anyone on the basis oftheir gender or nationality. Every well-intentioned person is welcometo join this workers movement, regardless if they're male, female orbelong to an ethnic minority group. In fact, I'd draw your attention tothe fact that the workers collectives in which women are in the overwhelmingmajority are more steadfast in their struggles. In the cases ofJugoremedija and Zastava-Elektro, more than 70% of those employedare women.What are the strengths and weaknesses of this movement?The greatest strength of this movement is the mutual trust that existswithin it. This trust is invaluable and it took years to build. The346