The Autonomous Trade Union of Wood and Forestry Workers of Serbia, SSPDS, held a workshop with representatives of local trade union organisations from the wood processing and forestry sector and various government representatives. Participants were explained in detail the labour legistation as well as the legislative framework for trade unions. The event was held on 22 - 23 of June 2017 in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia.
Trade union organisations at plant level have many issues in negotiating with employers when it comes to workers and trade union rights. The Law on Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes offers a number of possibilities to solve them, with the help of the Agency for Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes and its arbitrators and conciliators, in a fast and efficient way.
In his presentation, Professor Zivko Kulic, who is a member of the working group for the drafting of the additions and changes to the Law on Strike, explained the new suggestions in the proposed amendments on the Law.
The representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Veterans Affairs and Social Affairs, presented in detail the labour legislation in the Republic of Serbia and the legislative framework for the functioning and establishment of trade unions. In their presentation, they stressed that Chapter 19 in the process of negotiations with the European Union is the most important for the trade unions, because it harmonizes Serbia's labour legislation with the legislation of the European Union.
The participants actively participated in the discussions. Their new knowledge will significantly help them in their trade union work and in establishing better social dialogue with the employers. Better collective bargaining agreements in the forestry sector are also expected.