The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes successfully organized its second interactive training session for conciliators and arbitrators this year on December 2, 2024. The event took place at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, featuring esteemed experts and practitioners in labor law.

In his opening address, the Agency’s Director, Dr. Ivica Lazović, briefed the conciliators and arbitrators on the Agency’s current activities, upcoming plans, and announced future training sessions. He highlighted significant projects aimed at enhancing social dialogue in the Republic of Serbia, in which the Agency plays a key role. Dr. Lazović reminded attendees that next year marks the Agency’s 20th anniversary, which will be celebrated appropriately and ceremoniously. He also discussed the forthcoming selection and re-selection process for conciliators and arbitrators, describing it as an excellent opportunity for further professional development in this field.

During the training, judges Predrag Trifunović, Persida Jovanović, Zorica Veljić, and Marko Radović presented current judicial practices in labor disputes. Professor Nataša Petrović Tomić provided insights into the theory of arbitration and its practical aspects. Mira Basta, Special Advisor to the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, spoke on the importance of social dialogue, collective bargaining, and the challenges associated with these processes. Olga Vučković Kićanović, an expert in labor law and conciliation, discussed workplace mobbing and negotiation techniques for resolving such disputes successfully.

In addition to knowledge sharing, the training offered opportunities for professional networking and discussions on improving the practice of peaceful labor dispute resolution. Conciliators and arbitrators actively participated by asking questions and engaging in dialogue during every segment of the session.

This training once again underscores the Agency’s commitment to strengthening the skills and competencies of its conciliators and arbitrators, with the overarching goal of continuously improving labor law security, fostering social dialogue, and promoting harmonious labor relations.

The traditional visit of final-year students from the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, specializing in labor law, to the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes took place on November 27, 2024, at the Palace of Serbia. The visit was organized as part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Faculty of Law and the Agency, with the students accompanied by Prof. Dr. Ljubinka Kovačević and Teaching Assistant Mina Kuzminac.

The event was opened by the Agency’s Director, Dr. Ivica Lazović, who expressed satisfaction with the longstanding collaboration between the Agency and this higher education institution. He emphasized that the Agency's doors are open to students interested in exploring peaceful labor dispute resolution in their academic work or completing professional internships at the Agency. Dr. Lazović provided an overview of the historical development of the institution of peaceful labor dispute resolution and the Agency itself, highlighting comparative legal practices worldwide. He also shared the Agency's achievements, challenges, and vision for the future.

Dragana Andonovska, Head of the Legal and Professional Affairs Group, and Jelena Golubović, an advisor at the Agency, spoke about the Agency’s jurisdiction, principles, procedures, statistics, examples from its extensive practice, and ongoing processes of digitalization and digital transformation. Through practical examples, they demonstrated that even the most complex labor disputes can be resolved amicably, provided the parties are willing to cooperate, avoiding lengthy court proceedings.

The introduction to the Agency’s work concluded with a discussion with the students, during which they posed questions, shared opinions, and voiced observations about the Agency's work and alternative methods of labor dispute resolution in the Republic of Serbia.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes had the honor of participating in a workshop dedicated to innovations and the application of behavioral science in public administration, held on November 22, 2024, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

This prestigious event was organized by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) as part of the project "EPSA 2023-24 – The European Public Sector Award", supported by the European Union. It brought together public administration representatives from Serbia, Ireland, Portugal, Albania, Italy, and the Netherlands, providing a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and gain new insights.

The lectures and interactive sessions were led by Professor Lars Tummers, a renowned expert in public management and behavioral sciences from Utrecht University. Participants were introduced to contemporary theories and practical examples of applying innovations in management. During the workshop, attendees worked on developing concrete innovation projects and analyzed how scientific findings could enhance the operational processes within their institutions.

Representing the Agency, the workshop was attended by Agency Director Dr. Ivica Lazović and Advisor Miloš Prokić, who actively participated in all program segments. A key value of the event was the exchange of experiences with colleagues from other countries, which will contribute to the further implementation of innovative solutions in the Agency's operations.

Participation in such workshops represents a significant step toward improving our services and strengthening our capacity for the peaceful settlement of labor disputes. The Agency remains committed to continuous advancement and the application of modern methods in its work.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes participated in a panel titled "Disputed Labor Issues," organized on November 15, 2024, by the Association of Legal Professionals in Economy and the Associations of Legal Professionals of Vršac, Bela Crkva, and Plandište. The panel was moderated by Dr. Nenad Grujić, Secretary General of the Association of Legal Professionals in Economy. Speakers included Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Agency; Assistant Professor Dr. Filip Bojić from the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade; and retired appellate court judge Zorica Veljić.

Mr. Lazović presented the mechanism of peaceful labor dispute resolution and highlighted the Agency's jurisdiction. He emphasized the benefits for employees and employers who choose to resolve disputes through the Agency instead of pursuing court proceedings. Dr. Lazović also stressed the importance of collaboration between the Agency and the professional community to ensure the most efficient resolution of disputes between employees and employers.

In addition to discussing peaceful dispute resolution as an effective mechanism for preventing and resolving disputes, the panel addressed topics such as misuse of sick leave, statute of limitations for contributions, termination of employment contracts due to breaches of work discipline, and the realization and protection of collective employee rights under domestic law.

At the conclusion of the panel, the President of the Association of Legal Professionals in Economy, Nataša Petrović Tomić, and the President of the Board of Directors of the Associations of Legal Professionals of Vršac, Bela Crkva, and Plandište, Igor Orta, signed a Cooperation Agreement between the two associations.

The cooperation agreement between the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes was signed on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The agreement was signed by the Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, Dr. Ivica Lazović, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade, Prof. Dr. Violeta Beširević. The signing was also attended by Dr. Mila Petrović, an assistant professor at the Faculty and a conciliator for the Agency.

The signed agreement establishes collaboration between the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, aiming to further develop and enhance the capacities of both institutions. This partnership enables conciliators and arbitrators to improve their skills while promoting the peaceful resolution of individual and collective labor disputes among students. Additionally, the agreement creates opportunities for exchanging information and experiences, participating in joint projects, and organizing seminars and professional gatherings in areas of mutual interest.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes presented mechanisms for the protection of labor rights within its jurisdiction at a two-day international seminar titled "Strengthening Social Dialogue - Due Diligence and Responsibility in the Supply Chain in the Context of Combating Human Trafficking and Labor Exploitation." The seminar was held in Belgrade from October 29-30, 2024, organized by the Trade Union of Construction Workers and Building Materials Industry of Serbia, ACVBIE from Belgium, and CNV Vakmensen from the Netherlands, with financial support from the European Union and the European Center for Workers' Questions (EZA).

The event brought together trade union representatives from Serbia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as union members from Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Germany's GIZ, and the non-governmental sector also participated.

During the panel discussion titled "Due Diligence – Grievance Mechanisms and Procedures," Dragana Andonovska, Senior Advisor at the Agency, introduced the audience to the Agency's work and competencies. She emphasized that disputes before the Agency are resolved quickly, efficiently, and free of charge, making it the most effective external grievance mechanism for labor disputes after exhausting all internal mechanisms. She also shared examples from the Agency's practice, highlighting the cost savings achieved by disputing parties who opted for peaceful resolution.

In the subsequent discussion, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify uncertainties about peaceful resolution of labor disputes and the Agency's role. Additionally, they heard experiences from union representatives who had utilized the Agency's services to resolve individual and collective labor disputes, gaining first-hand insight into the benefits of this external dispute resolution mechanism.