ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - About 300 young scientists and assistant lecturers on Thursday staged a protest in Zagreb to point to their unenviable material and social position. During the three-hour protest, demonstrators carried lanterns
for the symbolic search for a man who is still interested in science. They also had banners saying "It is easier to reach New Zealand than get a flat in New Zagreb." or "Diogenes was in a better position: he had a barrel, we are subtenants." As part of their protest march from the Office of Zagreb University Rector to City Authorities protesters stuck "50 Questions to the Government" posters on entrances of those institutions. After Science and Technology Minister Milena Zic-Fuchs received a delegation of protesters, she voiced regret at the negative attitude of young scientists toward recently achieved agreements in the Ministry, wondering how they could
ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - About 300 young scientists and assistant
lecturers on Thursday staged a protest in Zagreb to point to their
unenviable material and social position.
During the three-hour protest, demonstrators carried lanterns for
the symbolic search for a man who is still interested in science.
They also had banners saying "It is easier to reach New Zealand than
get a flat in New Zagreb." or "Diogenes was in a better position: he
had a barrel, we are subtenants."
As part of their protest march from the Office of Zagreb University
Rector to City Authorities protesters stuck "50 Questions to the
Government" posters on entrances of those institutions.
After Science and Technology Minister Milena Zic-Fuchs received a
delegation of protesters, she voiced regret at the negative
attitude of young scientists toward recently achieved agreements
in the Ministry, wondering how they could proceed further if they
believed that agreements were just promises. A part of contentious
issues has been recently agreed upon at a meeting with Scientists
Trade Union which organised Thursday's action.
Ribic, leader of the Scientists' Trade Union, said the purpose of
the protest was to make subjects in power aware of scientists'
problems.
Demonstrators were most satisfied with talks with Zagreb Mayor,
Marina Matulovic-Dropulic. She told them that there were about
1,300 flats occupied by refugees and displaced persons and voiced
readiness that up to 250 flats would be given to the University to
solve the housing problems of young scientist.
Protesters announced they would draw up a model for granting loans
for flats until the next meeting with Matulovic-Dropulic in
autumn.
The Scientists' Trade Union, which staged this protest, also
organised a strike of assistant lectures at faculties and
colleges.
The Union's leader, Vilim Ribic, addressed protesters at the
beginning of the protest, saying that the purpose of Thursday's
action is to prevent cuts in science and to ask for more favourable
loans to be granted to young scientists and university professors
for houses and flats.
They would like to get subsidies for food in students' restaurants
and reach a solution to housing problems of young scientists. They
also staged the protest to ensure that the number of dormitories'
beds would not decrease in the next school year and that they would
be allowed to stay in dormitories during the World Military Games in
the Croatian capital.
There are about 2,000 young scientist trainees and assistant
lecturers at Zagreb University and institutes in the city.
(hina) ms