The leadership of the KOVO metalworkers union, the biggest trade union within the Slovak Trade Unions Confederation (KOZ), is preparing for potential mass protests in the autumn and is circulating a petition stating its demands.
The unions say they feel that the government has not taken their interests into account in formulating economic policy, despite having promised to do so at a May summit between business, government and labour representatives.
The union petition demands that taxes on individuals be decreased, that welfare benefits be increased or held at the current level, and that failure by employers to pay wages and compulsory premiums to public insurance funds be made a criminal offense.
According to KOVO leader Emil Machyna, 35,000 people have signed the petition so far.
