07. 10. 2024.

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.