2021-12-21

Annual Conference: Decent Work and Economic Growth in Serbia – Do They Go Hand in Hand?

"Labour Rights are Our Rights" project

On 21 December 2021, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised the Annual Conference entitled Decent Work and Economic Growth in Serbia - do they go hand in hand? within the framework of the Labour Rights are Our Rights project.

The world of labour operates under very complex conditions today, and globalisation, which has already taken over capital, has now moved on to the labour market. The social and economic crisis, further exacerbated by the Covid-19 epidemic, has had an exceptionally bad impact on the state of labour rights. This has hit vulnerable groups on the labour market particularly hard, and a large number of workers are at risk of poverty.

During this conference, we discussed issues of key importance to the labour market, labour rights and employment in Serbia. What is the state of labour rights in Serbia and is there a gap between the law and what goes on in practice? Why do we have a depleted workforce and what do the data indicate concerning the unemployment structure and needs of the labour market? What position are vulnerable groups in, in terms of (un)employment and what role does education play in this context?

The following persons opened the conference: Nataša Vučković (Executive Director, Center for Democracy Foundation); Johan Schmidt (Olof Palme International Center, Sweden); Brankica Janković (Commissioner for the Protection of Equality); Françoise Jacob (UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia). The debate was moderated by (journalist) Ljubica Gojgić.

Panel I: Labour Rights in Serbia – between the law and practice

Keynote Speakers: Prof. Bojan Urdarević, Faculty of Law, University of Kragujevac; Mila Petrović, PhD, Conciliator before the Republic Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes; Dragana Savić, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs; Prof. Mario Reljanović, PhD, Institute for Comparative Law; Jovan Protić, National coordinator for Serbia, International Labour Organization; Čedanka Andrić, President, United Branch Trade Union Independence; Danilo Milić, Olof Palme International Center.

Panel II: Unemployment Structure and Labour Market Needs – Why Do We Lack Workers?

Keynote Speakers: Prof. Mihail Arandarenko, PhD, Faculty of Economy, University of Belgrade; Prof. Vladan Ivanović, PhD, Faculty of Economy, University of Kragujevac; Sarita Bradaš, Center for Democracy Foundation; Tanja Jakobi, Public Policy Research Centre; Svetlana Budimčević, Union of Employers of Serbia.

Panel III: Vulnerable Groups and Employment with Focus on Education and Training

Keynote Speakers: Osman Balić, League of Roma; Gordana Savić, Užice Center for Human Rights; Jovana Krivokuća, Forum of Youth with Disabilities; Bojana Tamindžija, Center for Policies of Emancipation; Irena Pejić, The Machine; Dragana Todorović, ERA - LGBT Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey.

Agenda - Annual Conference (PDF)

The Labour Rights are Our Rights project is possible with the long-term and successful collaboration and support of the Olof Palme International Center.

Photo Gallery: Annual Conference "Decent Work and Economic Growth in Serbia – Do They Go Hand in Hand?"