Effective social dialogue between the government, workers' organizations and employers is of key importance for promoting social justice, inclusive economic growth, improvement of wages and working conditions, as well as sustainable businesses.
Minister for Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Nemanja Starović pointed out that the value of the new project is the support of international partners and the capacity to respond to challenges.
"Through this project, we will work on the modernization of labour legislation, and its harmonization with international standards, which is a huge step for all the citizens of Serbia. We expect to work on a new legal framework that will enable social dialogue to be not just a formality, but a living practice in which everyone participates. In this way, we will ensure that our labour law, the law on peaceful resolution of labour disputes, the law on the social and economic council and the law on strike will respond to the needs of today," said the Minister, adding adding that the project includes specific activities that will strengthen capacities of all partners, from the state administration to local self-governments, and social and economic councils.
The International Labour Organization will provide technical comments and recommendations relevant to the legal framework of social dialogue with the intention of improving key parts of the labour legislation. This includes parts of the new labour law related to tripartite and bipartite social dialogue, the law on peaceful resolution of labour disputes, the law on the Social-Economic Councils and the law on strikes.
The ILO will also support trade unions and employers' organizations in order to strengthen their capacities. By improving social dialogue, Serbia will be one step closer to membership in the European Union.
"Social dialogue should not be just an abstract set of rules, but a process with formal and informal aspects, customized to Serbia until it is a mature, useful, result-oriented, and recognized part of the society", said Emmanuel Julien, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
His Excellency Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret stressed that the new project will contribute to improving working conditions for all workers in Serbia.
"The workplace in the 21st century is changing rapidly, requiring adaptation in the way employers and employees negotiate working conditions. Such negotiations between employers and employees will lead to the improvement of living and working conditions, from salaries to working hours, annual leave or occupational health and safety. This in turn contributes to social well-being, corporate good management, and ultimately better productivity. At the EU, we believe it is strong social dialogue with the participation of all partners that is the best means of achieving these results, and we are happy to have the opportunity to support these efforts", said the Ambassador.
The Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia, Zoran Mihajlović, said that he is happy that this project is starting, as he believes it will strengthen the framework of social dialogue, which is necessary. "That is the task on which we should work seriously, diligently and with dedication, because the situation is not exactly what it should be," Mihajlovic said.
Čedanka Andrić from the Trade Union Confederation NEZAVISNOST stated that she expects the implementation of the project to lead to a greater role for bipartite and tripartite negotiations. "A lot of work is ahead of us, and we will fully play our part. From our perspective, the most important thing is to stop the fragmentation of the labour law", she added.
Miloš Nenezić, President of the Union of Employers, explained that the support of the ILO and the EU is necessary for strengthening social dialogue in Serbia as it is at a really low level.
"It is essential to prevent problems and address new challenges proactively to improve our society--but we can only do that through a formal discussion of all three parties of this partnership, on the national, regional and local level," said Mr. Nenezić.
The 2.5-year project will be implemented by undertaking regulatory analyses, tripartite discussions and consultations, and practical negotiation training, with the strong support of all partners, namely the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, workers' and employers' organizations, the Social and Economic Council, and the Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes of the Republic of Serbia.
