workers' rights

Labor rights

05.May 2026. KS

Being a worker in Serbia: Outlines of slavery

Thousands of people lose their jobs, and new employers offer even worse conditions. What is it like to be a worker in Serbia today?

Foreign workers

12.February 2026. KS

The Prosecutor's Office is investigating a complaint about human trafficking and exploitation of workers from Bangladesh in Zrenjanin

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Zrenjanin launched an investigation into allegations of possible human trafficking and serious violations of the rights of workers from Bangladesh engaged in the Linglong factory, following warnings from civil society organizations and reports from the workers themselves.

Labor rights

30.January 2026 KS

Linglong's Leased Workers: New Methods of Oppression and Intimidation

After earlier scandals due to the violation of workers' rights, the Linglong factory in Zrenjanin is applying new methods of pressure on workers. Bangladeshi workers who dared to report abuses are now under attack

Germany

30.January 2026 Nemanja Rujevic

Chancellor scolds Germans: Work more, work better

Chancellor Friedrich Mertz demands that Germans work more, be more "flexible" and not take sick leave. That is why they are reaping criticism

Labor rights

19.September 2025 KS

When the strike succeeds: How Elrad workers put pressure on the employer

The workers of the Elrad factory in Vlasotinac showed that perseverance and solidarity bring results. After two days of warning strikes and the threat of a general work stoppage, they managed to force the employer to relent and return to social dialogue.

Workers and employers in Serbia

19.July 2025 MM

False sick days: How common are they and what causes them?

The issue of suspicious sick leave was raised again, but the union says that such cases are not that frequent. However, it happens that someone who is not actually sick takes a medical leave. The reasons are much deeper than "a break from work"

Workers' rights

16.May 2025. TS

A Serbian worker works longer than a European worker - even that is not enough for Vučić

This year, Serbia is at the top of Europe for the number of hours spent at work in one week. The working week in Serbia lasts 41,3 hours, while in the European Union a maximum of 36 hours are worked per week. This is why workers in Serbia work more than workers in Europe

Leskovac

25.October 2024 SZ

Arrogant with the workers: At the "Aptiv" factory, the boss threw the employees' food into the garbage can

In "Aptiv" in Leskovac, workers are daily faced with, as stated by the union, violence and belittling by their superiors. They warned the management that in case of new incidents, they will file reports and inform the competent institutions.

Germany

30.September 2024 MJ

Sunovrat Volkswagen: factories are closing, workers are on strike

Sirens, drums and smoke marked the protest of Volkswagen workers, due to the announcement that the car manufacturer will close its factories

Leskovac

28.September 2024 SZ

The manager of "Jura" who threw chairs at female workers was suspended

The company "Jura" in Leskovac suspended the manager who threw chairs at female workers, and disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against him in order to determine responsibility, the factory announced.

Workers' rights

15.September 2024 SZ

Supermarket salespeople work standing up: They can sit down, but there is no chair

Across Serbia, cashiers spend an eight- or ten-hour shift standing. Unions warn that the practice of employers justifying that it is easier for workers to stand must stop immediately

Workers' rights

30.August 2024 Nemanja Rujevic

Walt first denied the ban on Russians, now he's launching an investigation

The food delivery service Volt suddenly banned the employment of Russians in Serbia, as "Vreme" first reported. Now they say they will launch an internal investigation and that they are against any kind of discrimination

Workers' rights

29.August 2024 Sanja Zrnić

Who delivers food in Serbia: Russians can't, cheaper labor is required

After Volt denied that it was preventing the employment of Russians in Serbia, an intermediary agency pointed the finger at Volt and admitted that cheap labor from Pakistan and Bangladesh is preferred

Workers' rights

28.August 2024 TS

A hard-earned bonus: In Jura, time off from work is a luxury

Employees of the Jura company are entitled to a bonus of ten percent of their salary if they worked all the time during the month, and an additional ten percent if they did not have a single day of absence in the previous six months, according to research by the Center for Emancipation Policies. Since wages are low, employees avoid taking sick leave and often work overtime. "Every dinar means something to people," says the worker in Jura

Minimum wage negotiations

20.August 2024 MJ

A third of employers threaten to fire workers if the price of the minimum wage is increased

The Union of Serbian Employers has not yet come out with a proposal for the amount by which the minimum labor price should be increased. 35 percent of them declared that they would lay off workers if they were forced to increase the minimum wage. "The union's proposal that the salary be increased to 60.000 dinars is more than modest," says sociologist Jovo Bakić for "Vreme".

Workers' rights

06.August 2024 SZ

Miner's Day in Serbia: The price of miner's bread is too high

On the occasion of Miner's Day, a rich program was announced in Bor and Majdenpek under the direction of the company Srbija Ziđin Koper. However, the six mining unions believe that it is not time for any kind of celebration, on the contrary

Working conditions in Serbia at 40 degrees

Labor rights

19.July 2024 Milica Srejić

High temperatures: Paving, building and working without air conditioning

In Serbia, there is currently an increased number of sick leave due to inhumane working conditions at high temperatures, says the president of the "Sloga" trade union Željko Veselinović for "Vreme", and reminds that there are also casualties

Labor rights

26.June 2024 LJ.S./MS

Why suspension of work when there are no sanctions for employers: "Jura" workers ended their strike

The representatives of the strike board emphasized that the workers' struggle for higher wages and better working conditions will not end there.

Labor rights

19.June 2024 MS

"State policy has made Serbia an eldorado of cheap labor"

The revolt of the workers in "Jura" shows that people are pushed against the wall and have nowhere else to go, Melania Lojpur from the Center for Emancipation Policies, which recently researched workers' rights, told "Vreme"

Workers' rights

12.June 2024 MS (Insider)

General strike in Jura: Threats and arrest of rebellious workers

On Wednesday, June 12, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Serbia, Miloš Vučević, with a request that the Government mediate between the striking workers and the employer. According to the General Secretary of the Trade Union, Slavko Blagojević, the management of the company, despite the work stoppage, did not talk to the strike committee at all ‌

Job interview: The worker has the right to know what is expected of him

Workers' rights

12.June 2024 Tijana Stanic

Is an employee allowed to ask what his working hours are: "Children, run away from employers like this"

After the announcement of an entrepreneur that if a candidate asks what the working hours are during a job interview, he will probably not be employed, there were stormy reactions of dissatisfied people on social networks. The president of the union "Sloga" Željko Veselinović tells "Vreme" that it is a "conscious intention to break the law", but that there is no one to control the employers

Serbs are at the top of Europe in terms of the number of working hours

Workers' rights

31.May 2024. TS/New economy

Serbs work the most in Europe: The non-working week and holidays are still just a dream

Serbia is at the top of Europe in terms of the number of working hours, according to data published by Eurostat. Although work on holidays and Sundays is regulated in most of Europe, for the average Serbian worker, a non-working week is still just a dream.

Labor Law

10.May 2024. SZ

Companies violate workers' rights due to "fake sick days"

Because of "false sick days", when employees magically recover only a day before they would have to appear before the commission, employers hire detective agencies and use polygraphs. On the other hand, the Trade Union "Sloga" says that the methods of checking sick leave of workers are unacceptable and they call for changes in regulations on sick leave.

How is International Labor Day celebrated?

May Day

01.May 2024. MS (RSE)

Food and drink: How the people celebrated the International Labor Day

Some with barbecues and drinks in nature, and some with demonstrations and a fight to improve the position and rights of workers. Where and how is International Labor Day celebrated?

Labor migration

18.February 2024. ZS/Independence

Serbs go to Pečalba, and Serbia is full of guest workers

The full implementation of the amendments to the Law on the Employment of Foreigners began on February 1. In the next year or two, Serbia will receive the first precise list of deficit occupations. Experts say that the state's focus is wrong and that the policy of low wages has led us to run out of skilled labor

Economy

21.January 2024 BG/RTS

The state announces the import of labor force, it does not care about its workers

"A large number of projects also means that a large number of workers will be needed. In the case of our country, this also means that we will have to import labor," says Construction Minister Goran Vesić.

Workers' rights

14.December 2023 Z.S.

Who is faking illness there: Private detectives in the service of employers

More and more companies in Serbia are hiring private detectives to check on their employees or investigate internal problems. Can a detective's investigation put someone out of a job?