Declaration of the Social Front

Faced with deep social and political crises — manifested in institutional corruption, poverty, growing inequality, repression, the erosion of social relations, the sale of natural resources, and environmental destruction — we, the undersigned, have united around shared values and goals. We commit ourselves to confronting this state of affairs and to working to resolve the systemic problems that have caused it.

Who are we?

Emerging from the mass movement that began with student blockades, strikes, and protests across the country, we have joined together in a common struggle to meet the students’ demands and to build a just, solidaristic, and accountable democratic society.

The alliance of students, workers, and farmers was formalized for the first time on 8 March at the “Side by Side” [Serb. Rame uz rame] protest in Belgrade. Building on this moment, our continued efforts to strengthen cooperation led to the creation of the Social Front.

The Social Front is an association of workers’ collectives, trade unions, and both formal and informal professional communities and associations. In cooperation with initiatives that share the principles outlined below, it works to achieve its goals.

The Social Front is not a political party and does not seek to participate in elections.

What are our goals?

• To establish a confederation of workers’ collectives and professional associations from different sectors, with the goal of working together toward systemic social change.
• To fulfill the students’ demands, as well as the demands contained in the Program Minimum, addressing both individual sectors and broader social and economic issues.
• To establish a permanent democratic structure that ensures continuous oversight of, and pressure on, decision-makers.
• To secure the right of all who live by their labor to take part in solving problems within their own sectors, and to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect both their local communities and society at large.

What are the guiding principles of the Social Front?

Direct democracy: Decisions are made by a majority vote of sectors at general assemblies, while proposals are developed through discussions within working groups.

Solidarity and mutual aid: Every struggle related to our shared principles is a common struggle, for injustice in one sector affects them all.

Independence: The Social Front operates independently of political parties and organizations both domestically and abroad, as well as foundations and organizations that do not reflect the views, ideas, and goals of the Social Front.

Humanism: The Social Front is not a short-term solution, but a movement intended to endure until a just society, built around human needs, is achieved. We believe people are social beings who realize their full potential in a community of equals.

How is the Front organized and what does it do?

Through the connection and joint action of workers from different sectors, the Social Front seeks to return institutions, usurped by the authorities, to society so that they may serve the common good of citizens.

The Front’s primary document is the Program Minimum, created through public discussions and workshops with all participating sectors. This document identifies the causes and consequences of the crisis within each sector and sets guidelines for overcoming them — from legislative amendments to major systemic changes and expanded cooperation across sectors. At the same time, the Program Minimum highlights issues around which broad social consensus exists.

Members of the Front are organized by sector and, through cooperation among various associations and collectives, contribute to drafting the Program Minimum for their respective fields.

In addition to advocating for reforms within individual sectors, the Social Front supports the adoption of amendments to the Labor Law and the Strike Law, drafted in cooperation with students and five national trade unions. It also campaigns for amendments to other laws of general importance, with the goal of building a more just society.

In light of all the above, we call on workers’ collectives, trade unions, professional associations, and communities that support the students’ demands and the struggle for systemic change to join the Social Front.

Our shared task is challenging but essential: to build a just and solidaristic society with institutions that serve the common good of all citizens.