The meeting of the Operational Team, composed of trade union and government representatives, focused on specific problems in companies across Serbia. The meeting was chaired by the Labour Minister Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski and attended by the CATUS President Zoran Mihajlović. Discussion addressed the situation in the defence industry factories, as well as in the companies „Jumko’’ and „Simpo“ in Vranje and „Vino Župa“ in Aleksandrovac, where the pre-bankruptcy proceedings have been initiated. Government representatives underlined that there would be no layoffs in the defence industry factories, salaries would be regularly paid, and efforts were being made to resolve the issue of export permits.
Regarding „Jumko“, it was announced that workers on fixed-term contracts would be offered full-time employment. Also, an increase in production for the Serbian Army is expected. As far as „Simpo“ is concerned, strategic privatization partner is being urgently sought. Several Chinese companies have already expressed interest. Representatives of trade union confederations requested that trade unions be actively involved in this process. They warned the government representatives about the operations in „Vino Župa“ being hastily shut down and the inadequate protection of company assets. It was agreed to hold an urgent meeting with the management of defence industry factories, representatives of the Serbian Army and trade unions from these factories in order to resolve the existing problems.
