As part of the celebration of 20 years of work of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, a significant event was held on April 4, 2025, at the premises of the National Bank of Serbia. The event brought together an international conference, an introductory training for newly appointed conciliators and arbitrators, and the first interactive training session.

The event was officially opened by the Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, Dr Ivica Lazović, who presented the Agency’s achievements and the challenges it has faced. He emphasized the importance of promoting peaceful labour dispute resolution as a mechanism for achieving fair outcomes in a fast and efficient manner.

The programme included the presentation of awards to institutions and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the development of peaceful dispute resolution in Serbia. Agency plaques were awarded to the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs; Acting Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate Nikola Banjac; the Employers’ Union of Serbia, represented by President Miloš Nenezić; the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, represented by Vice President Duško Vuković; the UGS “Nezavisnost” Confederation, represented by President Čedanka Andrić; the Association for Labour Law and Social Insurance of Serbia, represented by Vice President Professor Dr Senad Jašarević; and the Initiative for Development and Cooperation, represented by Director Miodrag Nedeljković.

A key highlight of the event was the exceptional lecture by Professor Dr Kostas Papadimitriou, professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Athens, and former President of the Greek Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration (OMED). Professor Papadimitriou shared valuable experiences from Greece, emphasizing the importance of social dialogue and the role of peaceful dispute resolution in preserving stable labour relations.

The event continued with two panel discussions dedicated to conciliation and arbitration. Experienced conciliators and arbitrators shared their practical insights and highlighted the key steps in peaceful dispute resolution procedures. The panel Conciliation in Practice featured Professor Dr Senad Jašarević, Miljko Valjarević, and Ružica Erceg, while the panel Arbitration in Practice included Srdjan Dobrica, Slađana Andrić, and Sanja Stanišić. Both panels were moderated by Jovana Spaić Erdeljan, coordinator at the ILO. These discussions were particularly valuable for the newly appointed conciliators and arbitrators, providing them with real-world examples and practical advice on handling procedures and potential challenges.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Milena Tasić titled Conciliation and Mediation in Labour Disputes – Conflict Management Approaches and Mediator Skills, based on training delivered by the ILO Centre in Turin.

With this event, the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes continues to celebrate its important anniversary while strengthening cooperation with domestic and international partners to enhance social dialogue and foster fairer labour relations.

At the premises of the General Hospital in Gornji Milanovac, an agreement was signed resolving a collective labour dispute between the hospital and the “Sloga” Health and Social Care Trade Union. The agreement was successfully reached through the conciliation of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, whose professional involvement facilitated constructive dialogue and a fair solution for both parties.

The conciliation procedure was initiated by the trade union, with the consent of the hospital management, and Professor Dr Dejan Logarušić—listed in the Register of Conciliators and Arbitrators of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes—was appointed as the acting conciliator. A Conciliation Board was formed, consisting of representatives of both parties and the conciliator, with the goal of bringing positions closer and reaching a mutually acceptable solution.

The agreement established measures aimed at improving working conditions for employees, including enhanced communication between employer and employees, and a more precise application of the collective agreement, which will positively impact employee well-being. One specific provision of the agreement allows all children of hospital employees up to the age of 15 to receive a New Year’s gift. This decision represents a significant step towards improving the working environment and demonstrates the hospital management's care not only for the professional duties of employees but also for their families.

This procedure confirmed that constructive dialogue is the most effective way to resolve labour disputes, contributing to the preservation of social peace and the improvement of labour relations. The successful resolution of this dispute sets a positive example for other healthcare institutions in Serbia facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution for mutual progress.

The Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes has once again demonstrated that it is a reliable institution for all those who believe they are exposed to workplace mobbing. In a recent case initiated by a joint proposal from a faculty of the University of Belgrade and one of its employees, a mutually satisfactory settlement was reached.

The case was conducted in a closed procedure, with Slađana Andrić appointed as the arbitrator. During the process, the arbitrator held both joint and individual meetings with the parties, enabling a thorough and constructive resolution of all contentious issues.

Both parties showed a high level of responsibility and dedication in seeking a resolution. Through the proceedings, they were able to clarify communication misunderstandings and agree on all disputed matters. The agreement has created the foundation for a pleasant and productive working environment, free of interpersonal conflicts.

This case is yet another example that confirms the Agency's role as a trustworthy institution for resolving workplace mobbing cases, offering an effective alternative to lengthy court proceedings and enforcement of the Law on the Prevention of Harassment at Work.

The collective labour dispute between the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of the City of Pančevo and the City Administration of Pančevo, regarding the initiation of negotiations for the conclusion of a collective agreement, resulted in the beginning of negotiations and was successfully resolved through the conciliation of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.

The procedure was initiated at the proposal of the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of the City of Pančevo, and the Agency’s Director appointed Mina Nikolić as the conciliator ex officio. At the first hearing, she formed a Conciliation Board with representatives from both parties and issued a recommendation that laid the foundation for further progress in resolving the dispute and initiating dialogue between the parties.

This outcome highlights the importance of social dialogue and demonstrates that, through constructive cooperation and a well-managed process, disputes can be resolved peacefully. Choosing peaceful dispute resolution contributed to preserving social peace and maintaining good relations, emphasizing the benefits of dialogue in resolving labour conflicts.

The parties will continue negotiations in good faith to further improve relations and reach optimal solutions.

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.