Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem in the purview of the government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem is not in our purview, we will forward your message to the relevant institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Social dialogue tops Serbian government's priority list

Belgrade, 27 May 2004

The priorities of the Serbian government are to establish social dialogue and reach a consensus on the overall social and economic policy, to adopt labour legislation and to carry on successfully with the privatisation process, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said opening a meeting entitled "Social dialogue in Serbia - new start", organised by the Nezavisnost (Independence) Trade Union Confederation and the Centre for Solidarity

Kostunica said that social dialogue is one of the pillars of democracy and a key to many problems typical for countries in transition.

He said that the purpose of social dialogue is to turn all its actors into winners. He stressed that the whole state experiences new beginning, and therefore we need a consensus on many issues that are ahead of us on our way to the European Union.

The Prime Minister said that domestic legislation should be harmonised with that of the European Union, and certain frameworks, principles and directions have been already set up. He said that apart from the Serbian government's Socio-Economic Council, it is necessary to form additional state bodies for conducting social dialogue.

The government prepared draft laws on bankruptcy proceedings, and on issuing licences for trustees in bankruptcy, and submitted them to the Serbian parliament.

In order to improve social dialogue, it is necessary to pass legislation, increase responsibility of all participants in the dialogue - the government, trade unions and employers, include in it other segments of the civil society and avoid its politicisation, Kostunica explained.

President of the Nezavisnost Trade Union Confederation Branislav Canak said that social dialogue starts from zero at this moment, adding that he is dissatisfied with what has been achieved so far.

Canak welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to democracy and his efforts to radically change Serbia. He voiced hope that social dialogue between the government and trade unions will be successful in the upcoming period.

Addressing the audience, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus said that this government is resolved to tackle social and economic issues, and to cooperate with workers and trade unions.

Labus said that it is very important to boost competitiveness of domestic economy, and establish secure relations between workers and investors. In the continuation of the privatisation process, it is necessary to lay stress on the promotion of foreign investment and completion of economic environment.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the public debate and adoption of new labour law will take place soon, adding that it is necessary to find right measure among all participants in social dialogue.

Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs Slobodan Lalovic said that the Ministry is preparing a new labour law, in which it will strike a balance between workers and capitalists, because the major blow of transition is expected in the upcoming years.

He added that the Ministry is preparing a Social Pact for Serbia, a transition strategy for the upcoming years. The Social Pact will include opinions of all social partners, and its completion will be the main Ministry's task in June.

In addition to preparation of draft laws on workplace safety, strike, and peaceful settling of court disputes, one of the main issues is the fight against unemployment, Lalovic said. Serbia needs an efficient unemployment reduction strategy, with full cooperation of workers and employers.