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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Meeting with trade unions, employers regarding economic policy

Belgrade, 8 January 2009

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic announced today that, at the initiative of Serbian President Boris Tadic, a meeting will be held with businesspeople, trade unions and employers regarding the economic policy for this year and the government’s measures for alleviating the effects of the global economic crisis.

Rasim Ljajic

Ljajic said this will be the first opportunity to resume negotiations with the unions and added that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic officially invited trade unions and employers to resume talks on the General Collective Agreement.

He pointed to the necessity of a social dialogue and agreement between trade unions and employers.

Ljajic recalled that social benefits for 750,000 users will be paid out on time and noted that if there is a shortfall, the budget will have to be revised to provide these payments.

The Ministry budget for 2009 stands at over RSD 87.5 billion, which is approximately 12% of Serbia’s budget for this year, said the Minister.

Ljajic announced that the Ministry will cut expenses wherever possible, specifying that Ministry members will undertake only essential travel and such measures are likely to yield concrete economic and political benefits.

He noted that the Ministry goals for 2009 are to keep paying out regular social welfare, reform the social care sector, adopt laws related to that sector, continue social dialogue and take measures to alleviate the impact of the global crisis.

The Minister added that the Law on labour must be amended, but only in agreement with unions and employers.

He also announced that the Ministry will increase control of the implementation of this law and continue fighting against illegal work.

The Ministry plans to set up two crisis response teams to deal with social policy and labour and employment related issues, as well as a team for corporate social responsibility, stressed Ljajic.