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| Disabled Workers on Hunger Strike in Banjaluka’s Institute for Dystrophics. |
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Wednesday, March 03 2010 @ 01:51 PM CET
Contributed by: bepa
Views:: 1,088
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Valencia, 3rd March 2010
Mr. Milorad Dodik,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska
mdodik@snsd.org
Ref: Disabled Workers on Hunger Strike in Banjaluka’s Institute for Dystrophics
Dear Mr. Dodik,
I am contacting you on behalf of ENIL, the European Network on Independent Living, we are aware of the Hunger Strike that is being carried out in Banjaluka, the second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Employees in the Institute for Dystrophics are on hunger strike, following a row over job losses. Employees blame management for the situation. The Institute faces bankruptcy and residents are threatened that without jobs they will stay without a place to live and might be put in institutions.
The 23 severely disabled persons will not give up their demands for the return of their colleagues to work and the involvement of two disabled persons in a bankruptcy group who will protect the rights of disabled workers.
Most of the strikers are already in bad health because of Muscular Dystrophy but now they are experiencing disturbed blood pressure and dizziness.
Institute workers blame management for the economic situation and for putting obstacles in the way of entrepreneurship for persons with disability.
The Institute opened in 1989 as a unique example of the social model of disability and inclusive practice. Persons with Muscular Dystrophy, who were alone or lived in inaccessible places or with older parents, came to this Institute for accommodation and employment. For many years they had an independent life style, taking control over their lives and earning money for living as any other member of the community.
It will be a real shame if the Institute will change its concept and become closed for the employment and independent living of people with severe disabilities. The government of Republika Srpska should find the way the overcome financial problems and enable disabled people to achieve their basic human rights.
ENIL urges you to take a stand and help these people to solve their problem and we thank you for any support you will be able provide.
Kind regards,
Jamie Bolling
Executive Director
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