Open Letter of the National Convention on the EU
National Convention on the EU Open Letter of the National Convention on the EU addressed to the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia To the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Mrs. Ana Brnabić To the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Miloš Vučević Open Letter As you are aware, the National Convention on the European Union is the largest network of civil society organizations in Serbia, comprising several hundred member organizations, including citizens’ associations, professional and academic organizations,…
Journalists’ Rights and Freedoms Must Be Protected!
Press Release: CDF Supports Journalist Tamara Skrozza and News Agency FoNet The Center for Democracy Foundation expresses its solidarity with journalist and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the FoNet News Agency, Tamara Skrozza, who has been subjected to attacks and a groundless media campaign. We demand that her rights be protected. The targeting, threats, harassment, and intimidation of journalists are unacceptable in a democratic country aspiring to become a member of the European Union. Tamara Skrozza is a journalist of unquestionable professional and personal integrity, ethicality, and principled conduct. It is the duty and obligation of the relevant institutions to safeguard the…
Accelerate the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy
CDF Statement on World Day for Safety and Health at Work On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Center for Democracy Foundation calls for expedited efforts in adopting the Occupational Health and Safety Strategy along with an action plan for its implementation. In Serbia in the past year alone (2023), 1,322 workplace injuries were recorded, of which 14 resulted in fatalities and 1,308 were serious workplace injuries, according to the report from the Administration for Occupational Safety and Health. These are workplace injuries reported by employers. It is therefore reasonable to assume that…
Reform Acceleration Necessary in Respect of Social Policies and Employment
Press Release of the NCEU Working Group for Negotiating Chapter 19 Members of the Working Group for the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) for Chapters 2 and 19 deliberated on the implementation of reforms concerning Negotiating Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment. The conclusion of said deliberations was the necessity to request the competent Ministry and the Government of the Republic of Serbia to accelerate reforms in the field of social policy, reform of labour legislation, and to implement initiated reforms regarding occupational health and safety, gender equality, social inclusion, and combating discrimination more efficiently. The Working…
Equality and Social Justice for All Inhabitants of Serbia
CDF Announcement Commemorating World Day of Social Justice In a democratic and just society, all people are equal and have equal access to rights, social resources and opportunities for dignified work and development. On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice, the Center for Democracy Foundation calls for additional efforts to be made in the fight against inequality, discrimination and poverty in Serbia. It is important that the most vulnerable groups are protected from discrimination and social exclusion, especially Roma men and women, women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and that everyone has access to quality education, healthcare and…
CDF: Human Rights Guarantee Equality for All and Must be Respected!
Announcement concerning the difficult situation of Indian workers at the construction site of the Linglong factory in Zrenjanin Official implementation of the Law on Amendments to the Law on the Employment of Foreigners in Serbia begins today. The Center for Democracy Foundation requests that competent authorities consistently apply the law and protect the rights of all workers. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a severe violation of human and labour rights of workers. There are well-founded suspicions that Indian workers in Zrenjanin are being exploited. This includes denying them freedom of movement as their passports have been confiscated, their work permits have…
Freedom, Equality and Justice for All
Announcement Ahead of International Human Rights Day The Center for Democracy Foundation wishes the people of Serbian a happy International Human Rights Day! Freedom, Equality and Justice for All – is the key message of the United Nations on International Human Rights Day, which falls on 10 December. In 2023, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (SRB / ENG) Center for Democracy Foundation Photo credit: UN / OHCHR
The eradication of poverty must be a priority of the state and society
CDF Announcement Ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Every fifth person in Serbia is at risk of poverty, and 28.1% of the population is living in ‘at risk of poverty’ or social exclusion, according to the latest data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. The eradication of poverty is Sustainable Development Goal number 1 of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, to which the Republic of Serbia is committed, implying the application of one of its key principles – ‘Leave No One Behind’. The severe economic situation, inflation, and particularly the surge in food and…
International Day of Democracy
The citizens of Serbia need more justice, which can only be provided by functional democratic institutions The Center for Democracy Foundation, on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, reminds of the importance of building a democratic and organized society in which the rights and freedoms of all citizens are respected and protected. In times when democratic values are being put on test, we emphasize the necessity of persistent work on changes in the state and society in order to approach the standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as those of the EU developed countries….
CDF: Support for the demands of trade unions to increase minimum wage
Minimum wages must follow the real cost of living and enable a dignified life for employees and their families The Center for Democracy Foundation provides full support to trade union demands regarding negotiations on increasing the minimum wage in Serbia for 2023 and 2024. Minimum wages must follow the real cost of living, to ensure a dignified life for workers and their families and to mitigate the risk of further deepening poverty in Serbia, which is already alarmingly rampant. High inflation (12.5% according to SORS data) and constant price increases have resulted in a large number of employees, in particular…
Harmonise labour legislation with the EU Acquis
CDF Announcement: International Labour Day We are advocating for the adoption of a new Employment Act that will be in line with EU and ILO standards, and we oppose further fragmentation of labour legislation which reduces labour protection The Center for Democracy Foundation wishes the people of Serbia a happy International Labour Day and highlights the necessity to harmonise domestic legislation with European standards, respect labour rights and the right to decent work and a decent standard of life for all workers in Serbia. As an EU candidate country, we need to adapt our legal system and practices to European…
Harmonise labour legislation with the EU Acquis
CDF Announcement: International Labour Day We are advocating for the adoption of a new Employment Act that will be in line with EU and ILO standards, and we oppose further fragmentation of labour legislation which reduces labour protection The Center for Democracy Foundation wishes the people of Serbia a happy International Labour Day and highlights the necessity to harmonise domestic legislation with European standards, respect labour rights and the right to decent work and a decent standard of life for all workers in Serbia. As an EU candidate country, we need to adapt our legal system and practices to European…
