1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

1. THE SITUATION OF YOUTH AT WORK IN THE COUNTRY 2. THE NATIONAL POLICIES ON YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  3. TRADE UNIONS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY 4. THE EU INITIATIVES FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN THE COUNTRY  5. KEY POLICY POINTERS

The first collective agreement between unions and management of the Chinese-owned Zijin Copper mine in Serbia has secured a wage increase and better working conditions.

The Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) of Macedonia has been working with international trade union organisations to help young journalists address the challenges posed by digital media and understand the benefits of joining a trade union.

European trade unions support the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.  Liina Carr, ETUC Confederal Secretary, said “Albania and North Macedonia need to join the EU to secure workers’ rights, a brighter economic future and safeguard democracy. At the same time the EU needs to reassure the people of the western Balkans that there really is a place for them under the democratic and social umbrella of the social market economy of the EU.

A cooperation agreement reached last June by Croatian, North Macedonian and Montenegrin trade unions is bringing concrete benefits for workers.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) condemns the threats and insults by Bosnian Serb politician Milorad Dodik against journalist Tanja Topic. Currently a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dodik called the journalist a German agent and ‘quisling’. It is the latest in his campaign of threats and insults against journalists who is he disagrees with.

The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro has adopted a platform setting out policy proposals for the newly formed government, covering the economy and labour market, taxation, public administration reform, social policy and trade union rights and freedoms.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes today’s EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit going ahead. But despite the recent positive decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, a broader message on positive prospects of the future of the accession process for the Western Balkans is missing. The Summit hopefully will strengthen political dialogue and socio-economic cooperation between the EU and the region and show solidarity and joint effort in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Trade Union of Macedonian Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) has teamed up with the Association of Journalists (AJM), the Council of Media Ethics, NGO Onlimit Media and news portal Vidi Vaka to sign the European

The Croatian government has backed down on amendments to its pension system, reinstating a retirement age of 65, after sustained pressure from trade unions. The changes would have raised the retirement age to 67 for both men and women from 2033, instead of 2038 as previously planned, and cut back payments for workers retiring early.

The number of labour disputes settled without industrial action in Serbia doubled this year compared to 2018, says the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, the biggest trade union confederation in the country, affiliated to the ETUC.

The Media Trade Union of Montenegro (SMCG) signed a historic collective agreement with the public broadcaster Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) in June, after three years of collective bargaining.

The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (UFTUM) and the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania (BSPSH) have concluded a cooperation agreement for the next four years, pledging mutual respect and an exchange of knowledge and experience. Srdja Kekovic, the Secretary General of UFTUM – an existing ETUC affiliate – and Gezim Kalaja, President of BSPSH, which has requested affiliation, signed the deal in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica.

In its meeting in March 2015, the ETUC Executive Committee affiliated the two representative confederations from Montenegro, CTUM and UFTUM.  CTUM was affiliated because the new leadership, elected at their congress in November 2013, engaged in a serious and complex reform process. This process clearly disturbs those forces who want to keep CTUM under full control. The same are responsible for enormous financial abuses that ruin the trade union’s reputation.

Last night the car of the General Secretary of the Confederation of Trade unions of Montenegro (CTUM), Marko Nikcevic, was destroyed by a car bomb. Mr Nikcevic has been in office since November 2013 and has started a far-reaching reform of the union, including external audits. Massive financial abuse has been discovered and reported to the Prosecutor for Organised Crime.  In later March 2015 opponents of the CTUM leadership organized a putsch supported by the Ministry of Labour to oust Mr Nikcevic from office.

“We welcome our colleagues from Montenegro and FYRO Macedonia into the European trade union movement” said Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC, “and will work with CTUM, UFTUM and FTUM to improve working conditions for all people in Montenegro and FYRO Macedonia, and to ensure the full adoption of EU social and trade union rights on the way to full EU membership. The destiny of the people of Montenegro and FYRO Macedonia and of the EU is together.”  

Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), in a solidarity declaration addressed to its two Serbian confederations CATUS and NEZAVISNOST, underlined the need for a proper social dialogue in Serbia.

ETUC General Secretary Bernadette Ségol, on the joint invitation of the two Serbian affiliates CATUS and NEZAVISNOST, held talks in Belgrade on 26 February with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and the head of the negotiation team EU- Serbia, Tanja Miscevic.