Fears of social unrest

The largest Slovenian textile company Mura is threatened with bankruptcy. Frightened at the prospect of losing their jobs, the company's employees went on a spontaneous strike at the beginning of the week. The daily Delo registers surprise, "because just a week ago the government and investors came up with a rescue plan for the healthy part of the business that will save thousands of jobs. On the other hand after months of uncertainty, low wages and job cutbacks the workers' emotions could easily get out of control. ... The events at Mura and the strike at household appliance manufacturer Gorenje a few days ago should also give [Slovenian] Prime Minister Borut Pahor cause for concern. ... Similar feelings of dissatisfaction are also rife in other companies, which is why warnings of social unrest are no longer entirely unfounded. A major factor here is that the unions have lost in power in the eyes of the workers. If they become completely powerless the street could become the real locus of events, which promises more bad than good."

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