[image: slika.png]
International Labour Organization (ILO), in cooperation with the EU Delegation, initiated the project ‘Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia.’ The project will be realized in the next three years and the EU set aside a million euros for it.
The aim of the project is to strengthen social dialogue so that the Government, employers and trade unions could jointly create an environment where the rights and of workers and employers are well balanced, which is supposed to contribute to a more stable, equal and successful society. [image: slika.png]
The EU Ambassador to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, who believes that the new project supporting social dialogue will contribute to the improvement of working conditions for all workers in Serbia.
In the 21st century jobs change rapidly, demanding from employers and employees to adjust their way of negotiating working conditions. Negotiations between employers and employees will contribute to better living and working conditions, pay and working hours, annual leave or occupational health and safety. In return this contributes to social well-fare, good corporative management and finally higher productivity. The EU believes that strong social dialogue, together with the participation of all partners, is the best means for the achievement of results and we are happy that we have the opportunity to support these efforts,’’ said the Ambassador Giaufret. [image: slika.png]
The Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, pointed out that the value of project is the proof of internal partners’ support and our capacity to overcome challenges.
„Through this project we will modernize and harmonize our labour legislation with the international standards, which is very important for all Serbian citizens. We are expected to work on the new legal framework which will enable social dialogue to be a practice which everyone takes part in, rather than just a formality. This way we will ensure that our laws regarding labour, peaceful settlement of labour disputes, social-economic council and strike respond to the current needs,’’ said the Minister and added that the project entails concrete activities that will strengthen all partners’ capacities, from the state administration to local self-governments and social-economic councils. [image: slika.png]
Emanuel Julian, Deputy of the Regional ILO Director for Europe and Central Asia, welcomed the initiation of the project.
„Social dialogue shouldn’t be only an abstract group of rules, but a process with formal and informal aspects, adjusted to Serbia until it becomes mature, recognized and oriented towards the results “, said Julian.
[image: slika.png]
Secretary of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, Zoran Mihajlović said he was satisfied that the project began and expressed his belief in social dialogue being brought back into institutions and legal framework.
„That is our task and we should work on it seriously, diligently and with full commitment because the situation is far from being what it should,’’ said Mihajlović. [image: slika.png]
Čedanka Andrić, President of the TUC NEZAVISNOST, expects the realization of this project to lead to the strengthening negotiations.
„There is a lot to do and it is our pleasure to provide strong support. We wish to point out to the necessity to stop further defragmentation of the labour legislation.’’ [image: slika.png]
Miloš Nenezić, President of Employers’ Association, said that the ILO and EU support is extremely important for the strengthening of social dialogue in Serbia because it is of low quality.
„It is necessary to act preventively and overcome the upcoming challenges so that our society would advance and the only way to do it is by formal conversation of all three parties in this partnership, at national, regional and local level,’’ said Nenezić.
„Efficient social dialogue between the Government, trade union and employers’ association are of key importance for the promotion of social justice, inclusive economic growth, pay rise and better working conditions, as well as sustainable business. The ILO will provide technical comments and relevant recommendations for the legal framework of social dialogue, which is aimed at advancing key parts of labour legislation, such as parts of Labour Law related to tripartite and bipartite social dialogue; Law on Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, Law on Social-Economic Council and Law on Strike. Trade unions and employers’ associations will receive our support in strengthening their capacity,’’ said Jovana Spaić Erdeljan, ILO national project coordinator and pointed out that through strengthening social dialogue Serbia would be closer to the EU accession.
Project „Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia“ will be realized through workshops, panels and practical training on the importance of negotiating, events and round tables, with a strong support of partners, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, trade unions and employers’ associations which all belong to the tripartite ILO mechanism, Social-Economic Council and Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes.
