18. 09. 2024.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes has taken part in the project "Empowering Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" which aims to strengthen the position and rights of workers and enhance the capacities of the state administration. The project, implemented in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the EU, was presented today, September 18, 2024, at the Metropol Hotel. Alongside our Agency, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, representative trade unions (SSSS and UGS 'Nezavisnost'), and the Union of Employers of Serbia are also participating in the project.

This project aims to strengthen the position and rights of workers, enhance the capacities of social partners, state administration, national and local socio-economic councils, and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes as a key body for dialogue and the use of alternative dispute resolution methods.

The project also foresees the improvement of the legal framework for strengthening social dialogue in the Republic of Serbia, with plans to amend a whole set of laws, including the Labor Law, the Strike Law, the Law on the Socio-Economic Council, and the Law on the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, all with the aim of modernization and alignment with the needs and demands of the modern labor market.

The event was opened by the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between trade unions, employers, and the state to improve social dialogue and enhance the status of workers.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emmanuel Joffre, stated on this occasion that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the structure of work could change, setting new goals for improving work frameworks and models. He noted that this project promotes European standards and that by implementing it, Serbia is moving closer to those standards.

Other speakers at the event included Emmanuel Julien, Deputy Regional Director of the International Labour Organization for Europe and Central Asia; Zoran Mihajlović, Secretary of the Council of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS); Čedanka Andrić, President of the United Branch Union 'Nezavisnost'; and Miloš Nenezić, President of the Union of Employers of Serbia.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes will play a significant role in this project, which is expected to contribute substantially to enhancing the capacities of both the Agency itself and its conciliators and arbitrators, in the interest of all users of conciliaton and arbitration services.

A delegation from the Agency, led by Director Dr. Ivica Lazović, also attended the opening of the event.