BSPK commemorates the 36th anniversary of the September 3 General Strike

The Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo (BSPK) today marked 36 years since the September 3, 1990 General Strike, describing it as one of the defining moments of peaceful resistance in the country.

In a press release, the head of the trade union, Atdhe Hykolli, honored the memory of the workers and all citizens who, during those difficult times, mobilized to defend labor rights, human dignity, and political and national aspirations.

According to the BSPK, the action on September 3 was not simply a work stoppage. It was seen as a coordinated response to the discrimination carried out by the Serbian regime, the mass dismissal of Albanians from their jobs, the removal of autonomy, and the assault on Kosovo’s institutions.

Workers, students, artisans, and residents from across Kosovo joined the union’s call, turning the one-day strike into a mass demonstration of unarmed resistance.

The BSPK emphasizes that workers during that period showed that the workplace is not only a source of livelihood, but also a symbol of dignity, collective responsibility, and freedom.

“In form, the General Strike was silent, but its substance and resonance were powerful,” the statement said.

The trade union regards September 3, 1990, as a key date in the history of Kosovo’s trade union, political, and social movement.

However, the BSPK also expressed concern about the current situation of workers, citing wage levels, the rising cost of living, workplace safety, and delays in social dialogue.

Commemorating September 3, chairman Atdhe Hykolli addressed the Government, the social partner, calling for the conditions to be created without delay to negotiate and sign the General Collective Agreement, and for the BSPK’s voice to be heard as the legitimate representative of the country’s workers.

The BSPK stresses that commemorating this day must be transformed into a commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights.

“Glory to the resistance of Kosovo’s workers! Honor to the September 3, 1990 General Strike!” the statement concluded.