Unions, minister disagree on Labor Law

BELGRADE The Ministry of Economy has called on trade unions "to engage in a constructive social and economic dialogue" in the public debate on draft Labor Law changes. The public debate is organized by the Ministry of Labor, which has officially tabled the amendments. Unions, minister disagree on Labor Law "The Ministry of Economy has not abandoned the task force - officials of representative trade unions have done that in a protest walk-out. We are always ready for constructive discussions with trade unions," sources at the ministry told Tanjug late Wednesday. In response to Wednesday's call to Minister of Economy Sasa Radulovic by the United Trade Unions of Serbia Sloga, which urged him "to return to the negotiating table... rather than make statements on social media networks, placing focus on issues related to vacation and sick leave allowances, disbursements, bonuses and meal and transportation allowances, deliberately changing the subject from the far more important articles of the law, of which there are about 200," sources at the ministry said that the trade unions "are knocking on an open door." The minister of economy was the only one to attend a meeting with over 200 officials of representative trade unions, held in Belgrade in December, and believes that representatives of all other trade unions - with whom he has also held discussions - must engage intensively in the dialogue, the ministry said. "There is no trade union organisation in Serbia whose representatives officials of the Ministry of Economy and the minister have not held discussions with on the matter, as well as on resolving the issue of companies in restructuring", the ministry said, adding that "adopting the privatization law will enable trade union organisations to play a major role in resolving the fate of such companies." "Only a constructive social and economic dialogue can lead to a legislative solution that is in the best interest of workers, employers and the state," the Ministry of Economy said, adding that "an amended Labor Law, reforms of taxation and other areas should lead to a boost in employment, economic growth and improved living standard." A trade unions protest (Tanjug, file) Tanjug

Unions, minister disagree on Labor Law

"The Ministry of Economy has not abandoned the task force - officials of representative trade unions have done that in a protest walk-out. We are always ready for constructive discussions with trade unions," sources at the ministry told Tanjug late Wednesday.

In response to Wednesday's call to Minister of Economy Saša Radulović by the United Trade Unions of Serbia Sloga, which urged him "to return to the negotiating table... rather than make statements on social media networks, placing focus on issues related to vacation and sick leave allowances, disbursements, bonuses and meal and transportation allowances, deliberately changing the subject from the far more important articles of the law, of which there are about 200," sources at the ministry said that the trade unions "are knocking on an open door."

The minister of economy was the only one to attend a meeting with over 200 officials of representative trade unions, held in Belgrade in December, and believes that representatives of all other trade unions - with whom he has also held discussions - must engage intensively in the dialogue, the ministry said.

"There is no trade union organisation in Serbia whose representatives officials of the Ministry of Economy and the minister have not held discussions with on the matter, as well as on resolving the issue of companies in restructuring", the ministry said, adding that "adopting the privatization law will enable trade union organisations to play a major role in resolving the fate of such companies."

"Only a constructive social and economic dialogue can lead to a legislative solution that is in the best interest of workers, employers and the state," the Ministry of Economy said, adding that "an amended Labor Law, reforms of taxation and other areas should lead to a boost in employment, economic growth and improved living standard."