30. 10. 2024.

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.