Minister says reforms can't be done without layoffs

BELGRADE Minister of Economy Sasa Radulovic has said that 2014 will be a tough year, but also the year of deep reforms of the system. The minister revealed that he would "prefer reforms that would imply no loss of jobs, but that is not possible." Minister says reforms can't be done without layoffs Slow changes certainly lead to a decline, we need deep reforms of the system, Radulovic said in an interview published in the Thursday issue of the Belgrade-based daily Politika. As the most important causes of Serbia's economic decline, the minister of economy mentioned the labor law, ridiculous labor taxes, criminal privatization and partocratic economy. "I would like us all to live better without comprehensive reforms, and that no one loses a job, but that is not feasible, unfortunately," Radulovic said, underlining that the main opponents of the reforms are those who benefited from the eroded system, who are now parasites of the society. The minister added that the reforms also mean the strengthening of undermined institutions of the system, adherence to the rules and abolition of the tyranny of individuals. "Readiness for reforms will be measured by readiness to pass key laws and begin implementing them consistently- laws on labor, planning and construction, bankruptcy proceedings and public companies. However, that is only the beginning. 2014 will be a difficult year and has to be the year of deep reforms of all social systems," Radulovic said. He underscored that it depends on the depth and success of reforms whether Serbia will have a bigger economic growth in 2015, and whether the economy will yield profit, invest and create jobs. “The state should not open plants or create jobs. The economy should do that,” Radulovic said. (Tanjug, file) Politika Tanjug

Minister says reforms can't be done without layoffs

Slow changes certainly lead to a decline, we need deep reforms of the system, Radulović said in an interview published in the Thursday issue of the Belgrade-based daily Politika.

As the most important causes of Serbia's economic decline, the minister of economy mentioned the labor law, ridiculous labor taxes, criminal privatization and partocratic economy.

"I would like us all to live better without comprehensive reforms, and that no one loses a job, but that is not feasible, unfortunately," Radulović said, underlining that the main opponents of the reforms are those who benefited from the eroded system, who are now parasites of the society.

The minister added that the reforms also mean the strengthening of undermined institutions of the system, adherence to the rules and abolition of the tyranny of individuals.

"Readiness for reforms will be measured by readiness to pass key laws and begin implementing them consistently- laws on labor, planning and construction, bankruptcy proceedings and public companies. However, that is only the beginning. 2014 will be a difficult year and has to be the year of deep reforms of all social systems," Radulović said.

He underscored that it depends on the depth and success of reforms whether Serbia will have a bigger economic growth in 2015, and whether the economy will yield profit, invest and create jobs.

“The state should not open plants or create jobs. The economy should do that,” Radulović said.