2022-10-10
| Požega

Debate in Požega: Formalising Youth Employment

„Social and Economic Rights and Sustainable Development“ project

On 10 October 2022, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised the debate: Formalising Youth Employment in Požega. The event was held as part of the Socioeconomic Rights and Sustainable Development project.

Partaking in the debate were: Prof. Bojan Urdarević, Faculty of Law, University of Kragujevac; Miroslav Tamburić, FORCA (Forum of Civil Action Požega); Ivan Bjelić, National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS); Vesna Vuković, Agricultural School of Požega; Gordana Savić, Užice Center for Human Rights and Democracy. The discussion was moderated by Ivan Kuzmanović, Center for Democracy Foundation.

During the discussion, it was assessed that adequate focus on youth employment does not exist in Serbia. The importance of connecting the education system and the labour market, as well as encouraging entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship among young people, was emphasised. Youths are not interest in associations which is why it is important for trade unions to change their approach to this target group. The Law on Labour Practices needs to be adopted to regulate and protect the labour rights of young people within the context of internships (practical work experience). The number of young people working without a contract needs to be reduced through supervisory inspection and by educating youths concerning the importance of labour rights and all that arises from the employment contract. Youths don’t know enough about labour rights. It is necessary to motivate young people to seek out formal employment.

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