07. 12. 2015.

Belgrade, December 1, 2015. The Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes celebrated 10th anniversary in MP Club in Belgrade. Many guests, trade union representatives, employers, representatives of industries and government administration and representatives of the media attended this jubilee. Within this anniversary celebration, two-day training on collective bargaining was organized and supported by International Labour Organization.Mile Radivojević, Agency Director, pointed out in his opening speech that the introduction of institute of peaceful settlement of labour disputes in national legislation improved social protection and harmonized the relationship between the employer and employees. He also added that the institute of peaceful settlement of labour disputes asserted itself as an alternative to court procedures thus relieving the caseload pressure on the courts. Even though there are some employers and employees who do not understand this institute, we should not deviate from what is good. With the support of the Government, the Ministry of Labour, all social partners and International Labour Organization, the Agency will become recognized as the leading institution for harmonization of labour relations and safe guarder of social peace and right to decent work.The Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin pointed out that the work of the Agency is very important method for establishment of social dialogue.„The period of thieving privatizations which lasted 12 years contributed the development of major social differences, bad relations between the employer and the employees and infringement of principles of fundamental justice, but the Agency makes the establishment of social dialogue possible once again“, said Vulin. Vulin also added that the greatest number of disputes, after the strike and work stoppage disputes, results from mobbing, and the Agency turned out to be more successful in such situations than the courts. According to the Minister, that gives us the opportunity to avoid court costs, to become more rational and to have better relations with employees in production process.Antonio Graziosi, director of Office for Central and Eastern Europe at International Labour Organization added that in the near future, the ILO will sign an agreement with the European Union which would enable better integration and cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans and EU members in the field of labour. One of the priorities of such program will be peaceful settlement of labour disputes.After the celebration, experts from ILO Cristina Mihes and Carlos Carrion-Crespo held two-day training on collective bargaining for conciliators and arbiters.