At the first "LEGAL PRO FORUM 2024," held from October 20th to 23rd at Zlatibor, a panel on "Long-term Corporate Value Creation" featured prominent experts in sustainable business practices and labor law. The panelists—Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding, Dr. Jovana Veličković, a lawyer from Belgrade, and Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes—discussed the importance of long-term corporate value creation through the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards. The panel was moderated by Dr. Ljubinka Kovačević, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade.

Dr. Ivica Lazović introduced the attendees to the work and responsibilities of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, emphasizing its role as an external mechanism when all internal dispute resolution options within companies have been exhausted. He also addressed the participants on the new regulations regarding due diligence in supply chains and their implications for business operations. Dr. Lazović presented examples of effective labor dispute resolution before the Agency, stressing that this mechanism is crucial for maintaining stability and fair relations in the labor market. The attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the potential application of these alternative mechanisms for protecting labor rights.

The panelists highlighted that sustainable development is a topic of the future, relevant to all companies regardless of size. It was concluded that collaboration between companies through experience sharing, as well as support from professional organizations, will be key factors in overcoming challenges on the path to meeting ESG standards.

A panel discussion titled "Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes – Arbitration and Conciliation" was held at the Bar Association of Vojvodina in Novi Sad on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

At this highly engaging event, Prof. Dr. Senad Jašarević, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law in Novi Sad, Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Dejana Spasojević-Ivančić, a lawyer, conciliator, and arbitrator, introduced members of the Bar Association of Vojvodina and the professional public to the methods and procedures for resolving both collective and individual labor disputes, the scope of arbitrators' and conciliators' authorities, and the types of decisions made in these proceedings.

Mr. Lazović presented the work, activities, and competencies of the Agency, emphasizing the important role of the Agency and its conciliators and arbitrators in resolving labor disputes, enhancing workers' rights protection, improving social dialogue, and adapting to new labor market challenges.

All speakers at the panel agreed that the future of labor dispute resolution lies in out-of-court methods, which are quick, simple, and efficient.

From October 8th to 10th, 2024, in Ruma (Borkovac), the "Study on Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" was presented to social partners. Along with the presentation of the study, a workshop was held to validate its findings. The study was carried out as part of the project "Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia," supported by the European Commission in Serbia and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Numerous experts and representatives of social partners participated in the workshop, including Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Dragana Andonovska, Head of the Legal and Professional Affairs Group at the Agency. Among the prominent participants were Prof. Dr. Attila Sándor Kun from Budapest, Lejo Siebel from the ILO, and Ada Huitbragtze, who will lead the ESAP 3 project.

The workshop participants shared their views on the study, emphasizing the need for legislative changes regulating labor-related matters. Through collaborative efforts, they formulated general recommendations for improving social dialogue in Serbia.

The "Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" project will be implemented over the next year and is expected to significantly contribute to enhancing the state of social dialogue in Serbia. The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes played an important role in this workshop, actively participating in the development of general recommendations for improving social dialogue, reaffirming its importance in resolving labor disputes and strengthening tripartite dialogue in the country.

The XXVI International Scientific and Professional Conference of the Association for Labor Law and Social Security was held from October 2 to 5 in Zlatibor. This year's conference focused on the theme "Contributions to the Future Reform of Labor Legislation" and gathered a large number of eminent experts in labor law from Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska), North Macedonia, as well as representatives from the relevant ministry, the EU Delegation in Serbia, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Serbia.

Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, had the honor of opening the conference. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of cooperation among all participants – state institutions, trade unions, employers, the academic community, and international partners – in achieving the common goal of modernizing labor legislation in line with European standards, while also considering the specificities of our social and economic context. Lazović highlighted that labor regulations are the foundation of social justice and economic development, and this conference contributes to reforms aimed at better protecting workers' rights, improving social dialogue, and adapting to new challenges in the labor market, including digitalization and globalization.

Alongside Mr. Lazović, Zoran Martinović, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, and Dr. Jovan Protić, Coordinator of the ILO Office for Serbia, also spoke at the opening. They announced a project titled "Empowering Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" in which the Agency will play a significant role, aimed at fostering better understanding and cooperation among social partners. The project also plans to consider amending a set of laws to improve labor legislation in the Republic of Serbia.

During the working part of the conference, Mr. Lazović presented a paper on the topic "New Strike Law - An Important Reform Step" reminding attendees of the need for a new Strike Law as an important prerequisite for labor legislation reform. The first day of the conference began with presentations on topics related to social dialogue, collective bargaining, strikes, the impact of artificial intelligence on labor relations, as well as current issues in individual and collective labor relations. After the presentations, roundtable discussions were organized on the topic of social dialogue in Serbia and judicial resolution of labor disputes, featuring eminent experts, including Matthieu Penot, the EU Delegation's Attaché in Serbia, and Peer Krumrey, Advisor for Labor and Social Law at the German Embassy in Serbia.

The second and third days of the conference featured presentations on the labor status of freelancers, proposals for improving the employer change institute in labor legislation, disciplinary responsibility of employees, non-compete clauses, employment of persons with intellectual disabilities, flexible forms of employment, and a roundtable on the rights of workers on digital platforms in Serbia.

The thematic areas of the conference covered the entirety of labor law through the lens of all labor law institutions and practices in resolving labor disputes. The conference also offered new perspectives on current issues in labor legislation that support future reform.

At the ceremony held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, marking the anniversary of the Union of Employers of Serbia – 30 years since its establishment and operations, Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, was awarded a special recognition for long-standing support, contribution, and successful cooperation.

This recognition confirms the strong and successful cooperation, which has lasted for nearly two decades, in establishing dialogue, promoting justice, and finding solutions that benefit both the economy and employees.

In addition to the President of the Union of Employers of Serbia, Miloš Nenezić, those addressing the attendees included the President of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, Ljubisav Orbović, and the President of the United Branch Unions 'Nezavisnost,' Čedanka Andrić. During the ceremony, participants also had the opportunity to hear messages from Roberto Suárez Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers, one of the most important voices on the global stage regarding the protection of employers' rights and the promotion of their interests.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes congratulates the Union of Employers of Serbia on this significant anniversary, with the belief that through continued good cooperation, a stable and prosperous system will be built, where rights and obligations are respected for the benefit of all.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes has taken part in the project "Empowering Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" which aims to strengthen the position and rights of workers and enhance the capacities of the state administration. The project, implemented in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the EU, was presented today, September 18, 2024, at the Metropol Hotel. Alongside our Agency, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, representative trade unions (SSSS and UGS 'Nezavisnost'), and the Union of Employers of Serbia are also participating in the project.

This project aims to strengthen the position and rights of workers, enhance the capacities of social partners, state administration, national and local socio-economic councils, and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes as a key body for dialogue and the use of alternative dispute resolution methods.

The project also foresees the improvement of the legal framework for strengthening social dialogue in the Republic of Serbia, with plans to amend a whole set of laws, including the Labor Law, the Strike Law, the Law on the Socio-Economic Council, and the Law on the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, all with the aim of modernization and alignment with the needs and demands of the modern labor market.

The event was opened by the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between trade unions, employers, and the state to improve social dialogue and enhance the status of workers.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emmanuel Joffre, stated on this occasion that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the structure of work could change, setting new goals for improving work frameworks and models. He noted that this project promotes European standards and that by implementing it, Serbia is moving closer to those standards.

Other speakers at the event included Emmanuel Julien, Deputy Regional Director of the International Labour Organization for Europe and Central Asia; Zoran Mihajlović, Secretary of the Council of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS); Čedanka Andrić, President of the United Branch Union 'Nezavisnost'; and Miloš Nenezić, President of the Union of Employers of Serbia.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes will play a significant role in this project, which is expected to contribute substantially to enhancing the capacities of both the Agency itself and its conciliators and arbitrators, in the interest of all users of conciliaton and arbitration services.

A delegation from the Agency, led by Director Dr. Ivica Lazović, also attended the opening of the event.