Angry Workers Invade Yugoslav Parliament

Thousands of workers from Yugoslavia’s largest rubber and shoe plant forced their way into the Federal Parliament today, demanding a 100% pay hike, changes in the government and protesting low living standards. They later were evicted.

In an action unprecedented in Communist Yugoslavia’s postwar history, about 5,000 demonstrators clashed with security police in front of the Parliament building. Police were unable to keep them from entering.

The protesters filled the main lobby of the domed building for about half an hour before security men forced them to leave.

There were no injuries reported from the brief scuffle. Uniformed police used only their hands to keep the demonstrators away from passers-by.

The 5,000 demonstrators, representing more than 10,000 strikers at the Borovo plant, began arriving from Borovo overnight.

Want Changes in Leadership

They are demanding a 100% pay increase as well as changes in the government’s economic austerity program and in the country’s leadership.

The workers said their average monthly wage is about $62.50. The monthly salary of an average Yugoslav is about $120.

The demonstrators are also calling for the resignation of Nenad Krekic, Yugoslavia’s foreign trade minister. Krekic was the director of the plant two years ago, and workers blame him for their current plight.

After being evicted, the protesters waited for more than seven hours in front of the Parliament in 100-degree heat to hear from Ivo Latin, an official of the republic of Croatia.

Latin pleaded with them to return to Borovo, where he said negotiations to resolve the problems would resume.

Demand Talks With Premier

But the workers booed Latin, who could not continue his speech. They demanded talks with Premier Branko Mikulic.

The official Tanjug news agency said Parliament was consulting high-ranking state and party leaders, including President Raif Dizdarevic and Communist Party President Stipe Suvar, to try to find a solution.

Mikulic said he would be ready to address the demonstrators “in a few days in Borovo.”