[Serbia] Freelancers protest tax law threatening to push thousands into poverty

On April 8, around two thousand Serbian citizens took to the streets of Belgrade to protest a new tax scheme that would require digital workers - those who work via the internet as freelancers - to pay excessive retroactive taxes for the previous five years, Global Voices reports.

The protesters warn that if the government carries out its plan, over 100,000 taxable individuals will be pushed into poverty. 

The protesters - who travelled in from cities Serbia - reportedly established camp in front of the parliament during the evening of April 7. The following morning, campers were joined by additional protesters for a 2-hour walk on the main Belgrade streets, pausing by government buildings to “greet” ministers of finance and labour, and the premier. 

They concluded their walk with a promise to return in a fortnight if the Serbian Parliament passes the contested law.  

The protests have been organised by the Association of Internet Workers (Udruženje radnika na internetu). The organisation was formed through a Facebook group with a membership of more than 13,000. In addition to expressing their rejection of the new taxes, the protests are intended to debunk the government's claim that such taxes have freelancers’ support. (Link via original reporting)

The Association held its third round of negotiations with the government on March 29 and - in common with previous attempts in February - the talks failed after the government refused to take steps to address the majority of its terms.

On April 8, around two thousand Serbian citizens took to the streets of Belgrade to protest a new tax scheme that would require digital workers - those who work via the internet as freelancers - to pay excessive retroactive taxes for the previous five years, Global Voices reports.

The protesters warn that if the government carries out its plan, over 100,000 taxable individuals will be pushed into poverty. 

The protesters - who travelled in from cities Serbia - reportedly established camp in front of the parliament during the evening of April 7. The following morning, campers were joined by additional protesters for a 2-hour walk on the main Belgrade streets, pausing by government buildings to “greet” ministers of finance and labour, and the premier. 

They concluded their walk with a promise to return in a fortnight if the Serbian Parliament passes the contested law.  

The protests have been organised by the Association of Internet Workers (Udruženje radnika na internetu). The organisation was formed through a Facebook group with a membership of more than 13,000. In addition to expressing their rejection of the new taxes, the protests are intended to debunk the government's claim that such taxes have freelancers’ support. (Link via original reporting)

The Association held its third round of negotiations with the government on March 29 and - in common with previous attempts in February - the talks failed after the government refused to take steps to address the majority of its terms.