2022-03-25

Debate: Labour and Other Social Rights in the Upcoming Election Programmes

Social and Economic Rights and Sustainable Development project

Within the framework of the Social and Economic Rights and Sustainable Development project, the Center for Democracy Foundation, with the support of the Olof Palme International Center, organised a public debate on the following topic: Labour and Other Social Rights in the Upcoming Election Programmes

Given the fact that labour and other social rights are issues of extreme importance to the majority of our population, and that there is a pre-election campaign currently underway in Serbia, it was our desire to initiate a discussion concerning this vital topic with representatives of the electoral lists and the trade unions. How do the political parties and movements view the Employment Act and other documentation of legislative and strategic importance to social policy and employment in the Republic of Serbia? In what way have candidates chosen to address the voters concerning these topics? To what degree are labour and other social rights represented in their pre-election programmes? How much time and public space is dedicated to these issues while campaigning? Are labour and social rights discussed in face-to-face settings with the public?

The aim of the debate was to educate the public on the connection between the participants of the coming elections and their views on the protection and realisation of labour and other social rights, through constructive dialogue. What do they stand for and what are they fighting against? What are the key strides they plan on making in these areas if the citizenry chooses to place their trust in them, that is, if the people give them their vote in the coming elections? It was our intention to respond to these open-ended questions in the Debate: Labour and Other Social Rights in the Upcoming Election Programmes.

Partaking in the debate were: Marko Miletić (Electoral list: We Must) Željko Veselinović (Electoral list: Marinika Tepić – United for the Victory of Serbia), Goran Radosavljević (candidate for prime minister, electoral list: Boris Tadić - Come on, People), Ranka Savić (President of the Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions). The discussion was moderated by Suzana Trninić, journalist.

The debate was organised via the Social and Economic Rights and Sustainable Development project, with the financial support of the Olof Palme International Center.