Slovenian public sector workers strike

Slovenian public sector unions came out on strike on 23 January in protest against a government decision to cut public sector wages by 5% in this year.

The unions initially planned to block the cut by calling for a referendum on the budget which, under the Slovenian constitution, could if supported, have forced a reversal in policy.

However, under pressure the unions agreed to withdraw their referendum threat. They are now calling for the government to discuss how the cut will be implemented and to promise that there will be no further cuts in 2013 or 2014.