The TASR press agency reports that about 70 Romani people gathered today in Bratislava in front of the headquarters of the Labor Ministry for a protest march organized by the extra-parliamentary Romani Union Party in Slovakia (Strana romské unie na Slovensku – SRÚS). Protesters demanded the government ensure them a dignified life and jobs.
"The Romani population today is completely on the fringes of society and [the governing] Smer-SD [party] promised security. Unfortunately, we see the exact opposite – the situation is bad for us Roma. This problem cannot keep growing, because one day it will explode and it’s just a question of time when that will be. Romani people don’t just want welfare, they want to work for their money," emphasized SRÚS chair František Tanko.
"This government, led by Fico, took office thanks to Romani people, and this is how he shows his gratitude, by harming his voters. I am amazed that the other citizens of this country aren’t speaking up," Tanko said.
The party chair said he had tried more than once to set up a meeting with Slovak Labor Minister Jan Richter and with Slovak PM Robert Fico (both with Smer-SD), but neither would meet with him. No government representatives came to see the protesters today either.
The Romani protesters said they want to hear from Richter what specific projects the Labor Ministry has designed to support Romani employment. Tanko said Romani people came to the demonstration from Prešov, Rožňava, Vranov nad Topľou and Žehra. The SITA press agency reports that Tanko said "We represent Romani people from all over Slovakia."
The Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for Romani Community Affairs, Peter Pollák (of the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities party – OBYČAJNÍ ĽUDIA a nezávislé osobnosti – OĽaNO) has admitted that Romani people have the right to be dissatisfied because no one has addressed their problems for 20 years. He said he welcomed minority representatives drawing attention to the position of Romani people in Slovakia, but pointed out that more than demonstrations are needed. Romani people must also contribute to the discussion of specific solutions.
"On the one hand Mr Tanko is warning that this topic must be resolved, but on the other hand he wasn’t in parliament on Monday 4 March, where he would have had an opportunity, like everyone else, to participate in a discussion on Romani reforms," Pollák told TASR. In his view, Romani employment is one of the priorities of the government reforms because it will help not just Romani people, but all of Slovakia. SITA reports that Tanko disagrees with the plenipotentiary and considers his words a personal attack.
The demonstrators moved from the Labor Ministry to the Office of the Government, where organizers delivered a "gift"to the PM in the form of an empty saucepan. "We want him to see that the citizens of this country are dying of hunger," Tanko told TASR. Protesters originally wanted to try to meet with the PM directly, but he was not at the Office of the Government at that time, having traveled to Warsaw that morning to attend a summit of the Visegrad Four.
The Romani protest took place peacefully overall, with the exception of one incident. Police had to remove an older man from the crowd who was disturbing the Romani rally. Demonstrators carried several banners reading "We want a dignified life" or "We want work".
Several police patrols monitored the peaceful course of the demonstration today. Tanko said this protest was not the last and that Romani people will be returning to the capital in greater numbers.
