From March 4 to 6, 2025, a two-day training session for experienced conciliators and arbitrators of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes was held in Sokobanja. This training, organized with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the EU Delegation in Serbia and the German Cooperation in Serbia (GIZ), aimed to further strengthen the capacities and competencies of conciliators and arbitrators in Serbia.

The first day of training focused on the Irish system of labour dispute resolution and the role of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Participants were introduced to the legislative framework, the principle of voluntariness, industrial relations, and the right to strike, as well as the similarities and differences between the Irish and Serbian systems. WRC representatives presented their organization and services, with a special emphasis on the role of conciliators in collective disputes. Through case studies, specific examples from practice were analyzed, with particular attention given to collective agreements, their implementation, and compliance with labour legislation. This part of the training facilitated experience exchange and discussions on improving collective bargaining in Serbia.

The final day of training was dedicated to integrating internal grievance mechanisms into collective bargaining. Participants discussed the legal framework at both domestic and international levels, as well as the benefits of these mechanisms for trade unions and employers. Special focus was placed on practical aspects—how to create effective internal grievance mechanisms, how to advocate for them, and how to incorporate them into the collective bargaining process.

The exchange of experiences with Irish colleagues provided a deeper understanding of international standards and the application of best practices in peaceful labour dispute resolution.

By enhancing the skills of conciliators and arbitrators, the protection of labour rights in both the public and private sectors is improved, contributing to the creation of a more stable and just working environment in Serbia.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes marked 20 years of successful work at the international conference “Access to Justice in Labour Matters for All: Prevention and Resolution of Labour Disputes,” held on March 4, 2025, at the Metropol Hotel in Belgrade. The conference was organized with the support of the International Labour Organization and its projects aimed at strengthening social dialogue and labour justice in Serbia and the region.

This significant event brought together experts in labour law, social dialogue, and conciliation, as well as representatives of social partners and institutions, who joined the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes in celebrating two decades of the institution’s work.

The conference was officially opened by the Director of the Agency, Dr. Ivica Lazović, who spoke about the achievements and vision for the Agency’s further development. Participants were also welcomed by Ada Huibregtse, Chief Technical Advisor of the International Labour Organization, Zoran Martinović, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, Duško Vuković, Vice President of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, Zoran Ilić, Deputy President of UGS “Nezavisnost,” and Vesna Kovačević Stanković from the Union of Employers of Serbia.

In the opening addresses, the significance of developing a system for peaceful labour dispute resolution was highlighted, along with its role in stabilizing labour relations, reducing court disputes, and strengthening social dialogue in Serbia.

A special part of the conference was dedicated to awarding recognitions to partners who have contributed to the development of mechanisms for peaceful labour dispute resolution in Serbia.

During panel discussions, participants had the opportunity to hear experiences and best practices from experts from European countries such as Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Belgium, as well as from the Western Balkans. The panels offered comparisons of different models of peaceful labour dispute resolution, with a particular focus on the development of regional and European networks of institutions in this field.

Participants were also introduced to the International Labour Organization’s guidelines for improving access to justice in labour matters, which represent an important step in the continuous advancement of legal and institutional frameworks for resolving labour disputes.

The celebration of 20 years of the Agency’s work confirmed that peaceful labour dispute resolution is a key instrument for a stable and fair working environment and that the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes remains one of the key pillars of this process in Serbia.

At the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, from February 17 to 21, 2025, the Tripartite Technical Meeting on "Access to Justice in Labour Matters: Prevention and Resolution of Labour Disputes" was held, bringing together representatives from over 80 countries. This meeting was the first of its kind and marks a turning point in international efforts to focus on access to justice in the prevention and resolution of labour disputes.

Following intensive discussions and the exchange of diverse national experiences, a joint document was adopted, providing clear guidelines for future actions in this field. The document highlights key principles of effective and inclusive labour dispute resolution, in line with international labour standards and the principles of social justice.

The conclusions of the meeting unequivocally confirm that access to justice in labour matters is not only a legal issue but also a foundation for stable labour relations and social cohesion. To fully implement this principle, ILO member states were called upon to strengthen institutional capacities, improve judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, and ensure that all workers and employers have equal opportunities to protect their rights. Furthermore, they were encouraged to focus on continuous prevention of labour disputes by strengthening social dialogue and collective bargaining, which were recognized as the most effective tools for maintaining stable relations between employers and employees.

The role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) was also examined as one of the key mechanisms for achieving efficient and fair labour justice. ADR was recognized as an important complementary model that can help ease the burden on court systems and enable faster and more cost-effective resolution of labour conflicts. Additionally, the need for further development and enhancement of these practices was emphasized, particularly through capacity-building for institutions and experts conducting peaceful resolution of labour disputes. Ensuring the voluntary nature of alternative processes and their compliance with international labour standards was identified as a necessary condition for their successful implementation in various legal systems.

Another important topic discussed was digitalization and the use of new technologies in labour dispute resolution processes. It was highlighted that online platforms and digital case management systems can improve accessibility and efficiency in providing labour justice. However, it is essential to ensure fairness and transparency in their implementation. A key challenge remains ensuring that technological innovations do not create additional barriers for the most vulnerable groups of workers.

With this initiative, the International Labour Organization has once again reaffirmed its crucial role in ensuring social justice worldwide. The meeting clearly demonstrated that the future of labour justice lies in strengthening preventive mechanisms, promoting social dialogue, and improving effective and fair dispute resolution mechanisms.

This represents a historic step forward in regulating one of the most critical aspects of modern labour law, and the conclusions of the meeting will serve as the basis for future regulatory recommendations within the International Labour Organization.

Among the participants was a delegation from the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, which attended as an observer at the invitation of the International Labour Organization. The Agency’s representatives presented the Serbian model of peaceful labour dispute resolution, which has been successfully applied for 20 years. The Agency’s participation contributed to the quality of the meeting’s recommendations and to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of labour law and social dialogue.

A delegation of social partners from the Republic of Serbia, together with representatives of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, visited the Republic of Portugal from February 2 to February 6, 2025. This visit was organized as part of the project "Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia," implemented by the International Labour Organization with financial support from the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to familiarize itself with key institutions shaping labour and industrial relations in Portugal, including the Economic and Social Council (CES), the Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT), the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT), the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), the Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment (CITE), and the Regional Labour Council (CRL). These institutions play a crucial role in regulating labour relations and strengthening social dialogue in the country.

Of particular importance for the work of the Agency was the visit to the Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT), where the delegation had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of practices in resolving collective labour disputes. During meetings with DGERT representatives, experiences were exchanged on mechanisms for dispute resolution, the role of tripartite dialogue, and ways to ensure the protection of labour rights through collective agreements and legislative initiatives.

In addition to institutional meetings, the delegation met with Portugal’s representative social partners, including the Portuguese Tourism Confederation (CTP), the Confederation of Commerce and Services (CCP), the Portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP), the Portuguese Farmers Confederation (CAP), as well as trade union organizations such as the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) and the General Union of Workers (UGT).

The delegation included representatives from the Employers’ Union of Serbia, the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, the UGS "Independence" Trade Union, the International Labour Organization, the Ministry of Labour, and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes. The Agency was represented by Director Ivica Lazović and Draganа Andonovska, Head of the Group.

The exchange of experiences on collective bargaining, challenges in labour relations, and the roles of social partners in the modern economy will be valuable for the further reform of regulations and practices in social dialogue in the Republic of Serbia. Based on these insights, the delegation gained an understanding of mechanisms that can contribute to strengthening the dialogue between workers, employers, and the state.

The visit to Portugal marks another step in enhancing the capacity and role of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes in Serbia. The implementation of best practices can contribute to improving labour relations and strengthening social dialogue in our country.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes will continue to cooperate with international and domestic partners to further improve its work and support the development of social dialogue in Serbia.

In response to the Call for Applications for the Selection of Conciliators and Arbitrators, published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 97 of December 6, 2024, with a submission deadline of December 16, a total of 45 timely applications were received. The Selection Committee, formed upon the proposal of the Social and Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia, consisted of representatives from the representative trade unions—Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia and United Branch Trade Unions "Independence", the Union of Employers of Serbia, and the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The Committee was tasked with evaluating applications and selecting conciliators and arbitrators. Based on the decision of the Committee, the following candidates have been selected:

Conciliators:

1. Aleksandar Antić
2. Aleksandra Ćalić Bošković
3. Ana Rvović
4. Biljana Dracula
5. Bojana Potežica
6. Bojana Stanić
7. Branislav Ćirić
8. Vijoleta Palić
9. Goran Rakić
10. Daliborka Kosanović
11. Danilo Rončević
12. Dejan Milić
13. Dona Radivojević
14. Dragana Jovanović
15. Draško Veličković
16. Dušica Gajinov
17. Zorica Veljić
18. Jelena Milivojević
19. Jovana Veličković
20. Kristina Vujlaj
21. Ljiljana Blagojević
22. Marija Mitrović
23. Mila Janković
24. Milica Milićević Stojanović
25. Milica Miđović
26. Miloš Stevović
27. Mira Basta
28. Nataša Arsić Jelić
29. Nataša Petrović Tomić
30. Nenad Domjeskov
31. Persida Jovanović
32. Predrag Plavkić
33. Predrag Popović
34. Predrag Trifunović
35. Ružica Erceg
36. Srđan Dobrica

Arbitrators:

1. Aleksandra Ćalić Bošković
2. Ana Rvović
3. Biljana Dracula
4. Bojana Stanić
5. Branislav Ćirić
6. Vijoleta Palić
7. Goran Rakić
8. Daliborka Kosanović
9. Dejan Milić
10. Dona Radivojević
11. Dragana Jovanović
12. Draško Veličković
13. Dušica Gajinov
14. Zorica Veljić
15. Jovana Veličković
16. Kristina Vujlaj
17. Ljiljana Blagojević
18. Marija Mitrović
19. Mila Janković
20. Milica Milićević Stojanović
21. Miloš Stevović
22. Nataša Arsić Jelić
23. Nataša Petrović Tomić
24. Nenad Domjeskov
25. Persida Jovanović
26. Predrag Popović
27. Predrag Trifunović
28. Ružica Erceg
29. Srđan Dobrica

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes expresses its sincere appreciation to all candidates for their interest and participation in the selection process.

Based on the Committee's decision, the Agency will issue a Decision on the Registration of the Selected Candidates in the Official Register of Conciliators and Arbitrators. This decision will be officially published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia in the shortest possible time.

The collective labor dispute in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, conducted before the Agency regarding the implementation of the collective agreement, was successfully resolved through the signing of a joint recommendation. The dispute was initiated by the Serbian Police Union, while the other party, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, agreed to resolve the matter peacefully before the Agency.

Miljko Valjarević was appointed as the conciliator for the case. In accordance with the law, he formed a Conciliation Committee during the first hearing, comprising the conciliator as chair and representatives of both parties. After four hearings, the parties reached an agreement on the disputed issues, leading to the signing of a joint recommendation.

The employer and the union organization within the Ministry of Internal Affairs demonstrated that social dialogue between employees and employers can lead to effective solutions. By opting for the peaceful resolution of the collective labor dispute, they followed the recommendation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to resolve disputes through dialogue.