ANSWER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA TO THE OPEN LETTER OF IWW (unofficial translation)
Ljubljana, 3rd of August 2011
Let me express my gratitude for your letter in which you highlight the problem of salaries of workers, employed by various subcontractors in Luka Koper. As you have already mentioned, these workers are - due to their position - forced into very hard labor, frequently overtime and for a much lower payment and less rights then workers, that do the same work and are employed directly by Luka Koper. There can be no reason or excuse for such situation.
I am closely following the strike of crane operators and its economic and other consequences. All legal provisions on the regime of an organization of a strike should be strictly applied. I agree with you that the only solution for the present situation is an immediate agreement between representatives of employers and workers, which would point toward the best solution of the misunderstandings in the framework of legislation and the collective agreement.
As far as the workers that work in Luka Koper via subcontractors are concerned, I believe that the management of Luka Koper is obliged to make such contracts with subcontractors that would prevent salary anomalies and the discrimination of subcontracting workers.
Therefore I appeal to the management of Luka Koper, the subcontractors and the organized port workers to start an open dialog in good faith in order to find an appropriate solution as soon as possible.
Respectfuly,
Danilo Türk
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