Fiat blackmails with production transfer

The Italian carmaker Fiat has threatened to transfer part of its production to Serbia should the government, trade unions and workers refuse to accept changes to working conditions. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica says Fiat is resorting to blackmail tactics: "The Fiat strategy increases the danger of social conflict escalating and spreading. There can be no doubt, despite the prophecies of the ministers and trade unionists: thousands of companies with foreign subsidiaries will lose no time making the same demands for themselves if the strategy turns out to be successful. It's true that the crisis has weakened the unions and workers and that the spectre of unemployment is forcing them to accept almost any conditions. But it's by no means certain that … the majority of workers will unquestioningly accept the dictates of the 'global working class', including bans on strikes, demonstrations, raising objections and even calling in sick."

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