On International Labour Day 2026, members of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia gathered under the slogan “Decent Life for Employees and All Serbian Citizens “. All those committed to the fight for a more just society gathered at Nikola Pašić Square in Belgrade. After the national anthem and the Internationale, a message was conveyed that workers stand united and in solidarity, remaining at the forefront of protecting the world of labour. “We are not seeking privileges, but respect and security, as well as equal partnership with labour driving this country forward“, said the CATUS Vice-President Zoran Marković. He called on participants not to yield to injustice, but continue their struggle for decent and safe working conditions and fair wages. He reminded workers that they were the foundation of every factory, product and economy as a whole and without their knowledge and manual labour, no development was possible. CATUS President Zoran Mihajlović pointed out that only together could we fight for better Serbia and better future for all, so that our children didn’t have to go abroad and could be satisfied with their earnings at home“. CATUS Council Secretary Slađan Bobić said that the occasion was not only about commemorating the past, but also about fighting for the future in which everybody’s work is respected. Traditionally, this year again a message was sent to the authorities, employers and the public. The message is contained in the May 1 Manifesto that was read by the CATUS Vice-President Nikola Bobić, who emhasized that CATUS would use all legal means of trade union action, fight for decent working conditions, job security and just compensation. After a march to Slavija Square, trade union representatives laid flowers at the bust of Dimitrije Tucović, a distinguished leader of the socialist movement in Serbia.
