The Post of Montenegro has urged employees of the state-owned company to uphold their work responsibilities and adhere to working hours, as abandoning the workplace without a justified and legally valid reason is deemed a breach of work obligations.

This statement follows today’s demonstration by the United Union of Employees of the Post of Montenegro, which is advocating for the annulment of the dismissal of the union’s vice president, Jugoslav Marković.

The Post Office clarified that Marković faced sanctions due to illegal conduct.

“To provide complete and accurate information, we would like to emphasize that a pensioner from Budva reported that her pension of 446.62 euros had not been paid and requested its disbursement from the Post of Montenegro. Following the report, the management at the Budva post office discovered that the proof of delivery had been signed, not by the pension beneficiary, but by postman Jugoslav Marković. He did not deny this and even admitted it, later ensuring the payment to the pension beneficiary. Consequently, the manager at the Budva regional center initiated disciplinary proceedings based on this finding, which substantiated the claims about the illegal handling of entrusted funds and the improper signing of the pension delivery proof,” the statement continues.

The agency stresses that this situation does not reflect management’s attitude towards any employee based on personal characteristics or trade union affiliation, as falsely suggested by the former postman and the union he represents. Rather, it pertains to an illegal act that warranted the termination of employment.

“It is evident that there is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the narrative suggesting that the disciplinary measure is related to the strike, which seeks to downplay the illegal actions involving the Post of Montenegro’s funds by former postman Jugoslav Marković,” they further explain.

They cautioned employees “not to be misled about the indisputable individual accountability of the person involved.”

The Montenegro Post Office specifically highlighted that the legality of their decisions cannot be questioned through protests but should be challenged in court, directing any dissatisfied parties to the appropriate judicial authority. This is especially relevant given that neither the former employee nor the union he belongs to disputes the factual findings but merely contests the severity of the disciplinary action taken. In light of this, they advise those dissatisfied to confront their actions with dignity and to present their arguments within the proper institutional frameworks,” the statement asserts.

They argue that if the legality of individual decisions were determined by press releases or protests, institutions would be rendered ineffective, allowing any unlawful actions to be overturned based solely on discontent displayed at protests or other gatherings, irrespective of the merits and legality of the decisions made.

The Montenegro Post affirms that it remains supportive of its employees and, as a responsible institution, must penalize the illegal actions of individuals that harm the institution’s reputation and the standing of employees who perform their duties with integrity, ultimately undermining the trust in their operations,” the statement concludes.

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