On 27 April 2026, the first Interactive Training for conciliators and arbitrators of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes in this year was held at the Palace “Serbia” in Belgrade. The event gathered a large number of participants and once again confirmed the importance of continuous exchange of knowledge and experience.

The training was opened by the Director of the Agency, Dr Ivica Lazović, who welcomed the participants and briefed them on recent developments in the Agency’s work, the results achieved in the previous period, as well as the plans for further development and improvement of the system for the peaceful settlement of labour disputes.

Within the first session, a panel discussion titled “Conciliation and Arbitration in the Era of Technological Change” was held, featuring Prof. Dr Senad Jašarević, Prof. Dr Goran Obradović, Prof. Dr Nataša Petrović Tomić, and Prof. Dr Branko Lubarda, former judge of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, whom conciliators and arbitrators had the opportunity to hear for the first time following the completion of his mandate. The panelists highlighted the increasingly significant impact of digitalisation and new technologies on procedures for the peaceful settlement of labour disputes, as well as the need to further align existing mechanisms with modern developments.

The second part of the training focused on conciliation in practice, where conciliators Assistant Prof. Dr Aleksandar Antić, Dragana Miletić and Dr Jelena Gluščević shared their experiences. Through practical examples, they pointed to the challenges conciliators face in their work, as well as the importance of exchanging experiences as a key element for improving practice.

In the afternoon session, Prof. Dr Katarina Erić delivered a highly engaging lecture on “Public Speaking and Communication Skills”, emphasizing the importance of communication skills in the processes of peaceful dispute resolution, as well as in building professional authority.

The final segment of the training was dedicated to arbitration in practice, focusing on procedural challenges and legal dilemmas, and included presentations by arbitrators Igor Kokanović, Assistant Prof. Dr Marija Dragićević Đorđević and Milun Petković. The panel addressed important practical issues and pointed to the need for further strengthening efficiency and legal certainty in arbitration proceedings.

Following the presentations, a lively and constructive discussion took place, during which participants exchanged views and experiences on current challenges in the field of peaceful settlement of labour disputes, further confirming the value of such events and the importance of direct dialogue.

In the process of peaceful settlement of a collective labour dispute at the “Zavod za udžbenike” LLC, initiated in relation to the exercise of the right to trade union organisation and activity, the parties to the dispute once again reached an agreement. On that occasion, a Recommendation was adopted, followed by the conclusion of an Agreement on the settlement of the collective labour dispute.

Building on the positive experience from 2023, when a similar dispute was successfully resolved through an agreement, both parties agreed to appoint Prof. Dr Živko Kulić as conciliator in this procedure as well.

In accordance with the law, a Conciliation Board was established at the first hearing, composed of the conciliator and representatives of both parties to the dispute. Following three hearings, a Recommendation on the manner of dispute resolution was adopted, on the basis of which a final agreement was reached and an Agreement was concluded, thereby resolving all outstanding issues.

Once again, the employer “Textbook Institute” LLC and the Trade Union of the Textbook Institute confirmed that constructive social dialogue can lead to efficient and sustainable solutions. Their decision to resolve the dispute peacefully represents an example of good practice, in line with the recommendations of the Government of the Republic of Serbia that labour disputes should be resolved through dialogue and mutual agreement.

On Friday, 20 March 2026, the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes organized an introductory training for newly appointed conciliators and arbitrators at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (Green Hall), selected through the two most recent public calls. The training was delivered within the framework of the 2026 Special Professional Development Programme for conciliators and arbitrators.

The aim of the training was to provide newly appointed conciliators and arbitrators with the necessary knowledge and skills for independent work in practice. The programme covered key procedural aspects, the course of conciliation and arbitration proceedings, as well as the roles, responsibilities and standards of conduct in these processes. For participants with prior experience, the training also served as an opportunity to further harmonise practice and open discussions on issues relevant to improving performance.

The training was opened by Dr Ivica Lazović, Director of the Agency, who emphasised the importance of continuous professional development for the efficient and high-quality resolution of labour disputes.

During the working sessions, some of the most experienced conciliators and arbitrators – Miljko Valjarević, Slađana Andrić, Srđan Dobrica and Olga Vučković Kićanović – presented practical aspects of conducting proceedings, shared their experience from specific cases, and highlighted key challenges encountered in practice. Through an interactive approach and exchange of views, participants had the opportunity to gain concrete knowledge and valuable insights for their future work.

The training concluded with a discussion and exchange of experiences, laying the groundwork for further cooperation and mutual support among conciliators and arbitrators within the system of peaceful settlement of labour disputes.

At the invitation of the Spanish Foundation of the Interconfederal Service for Mediation and Arbitration (Foundation Servicio Interconfederal de Mediación y Arbitraje Foundation – SIMA-FSP), the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes visited this institution in Madrid from 3 to 4 March. The visit was organized with the aim of exchanging experiences, strengthening institutional cooperation, and becoming acquainted with models for the prevention and resolution of collective labour disputes within the Spanish system of industrial relations.

Opening remarks at the beginning of the programme were delivered by the Director of SIMA-FSP, Beatriz Losada Crespo, a representative of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Marcos José Pérez Sánchez, and the Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, Dr. Ivica Lazović. Dr. Lazović presented the competences, organization, and achievements of the Agency in the Republic of Serbia, as well as the development of the system of peaceful labour dispute resolution in the country. The practical experience and competences of SIMA-FSP were also presented by Eva Ruiz Colomé and Diego Rubiera.

During the first working day, representatives of the SIMA-FSP legal service presented the stages of the mediation procedure, communication techniques with the parties to a dispute, methods for facilitating dialogue, and tools used to overcome deadlocks in negotiations. Special attention was devoted to managing high-conflict situations, as well as to concrete examples from SIMA-FSP practice.

Within the programme, the preventive role of the institution in the system of peaceful labour dispute resolution was also discussed, including mechanisms for the early identification of potential disputes and advisory support to social partners aimed at preventing escalation and strengthening social dialogue. Procedures applied in situations where a strike has been announced or is already underway were also presented, as well as the role of mediation as a mandatory step in resolving disputes that may lead to a strike.

On the second day of the visit, members of the Supervisory Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the ASAC Agreement (Agreement on Autonomous Resolution of Labour Disputes) presented the legal and institutional framework of SIMA-FSP, its position within the Spanish system of labour relations, as well as its relations with public administration and social partners. Representatives of Spanish social partners (Administración General del Estado – General State Administration, Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales – Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organizations, Confederación Española de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa – Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Comisiones Obreras – Workers’ Commissions, and Unión General de Trabajadores – General Union of Workers) attended the meeting.

During the meeting with the Director of the institution, the practice of mediation in collective labour disputes of cross-sectoral or interregional importance was presented in greater detail, as well as the role of SIMA-FSP in situations of deadlock in collective bargaining. The discussion also addressed the system of arbitration, its legal nature, the conditions for initiating proceedings, and the relationship between mediation and arbitration within the Spanish system of peaceful labour dispute resolution.

A special segment of the programme was devoted to the selection, status, and training of mediators and arbitrators, including criteria for appointment, programmes of initial and continuous training, as well as quality-control mechanisms and ethical standards that guarantee impartiality in proceedings.

This visit enabled an exchange of experiences and good practices between two institutions that play an important role in strengthening social dialogue and improving the system of peaceful labour dispute resolution. On this occasion, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of preventive action and cooperation with social partners as key mechanisms for the timely resolution of disputes and the prevention of their escalation.

Through the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, two proceedings initiated on the grounds of workplace harassment have been successfully concluded. In both cases, the parties opted for a peaceful resolution and concluded agreements, thereby creating the conditions for regulating their mutual relations and continuing their professional cooperation.

The proceedings were conducted by arbitrator Živko Kulić, whose professional and impartial management of the process, through several hearings, enabled constructive dialogue between the parties and contributed to reaching an amicable settlement, with the aim of normalizing relations and ensuring the smooth functioning of the work process.

In the case concerning the company Alma Quattro d.o.o. Belgrade, after three hearings the parties concluded an agreement by which they committed themselves to responsible and professional conduct in an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. The employer undertook to organize work in a manner that ensures conditions for the uninterrupted performance of duties, as well as to contribute to eliminating the causes of misunderstandings that led to the initiation of the proceedings.

In the second case, conducted within a state authority, the Administration for the Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions, after four hearings the parties reached an agreement regulating the manner of mutual communication, respect for professional standards, and the rules of conduct within the work process, with the aim of preserving stable and functional relations within the service.

Both the private company and the state authority demonstrated a high level of responsibility and readiness to resolve disputes in a constructive manner, in cooperation with employees and with the support of the Agency, thereby providing an example of good practice in regulating labour relations and fostering a professional working environment.

In the first two months of this year, more than 700 procedures for the peaceful settlement of individual labour disputes have been initiated before the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes by employees and the management of JPKP “Lazarevac”. The decision to initiate the procedure before the Agency represents an example of a constructive approach and the willingness of both parties to resolve disputed issues without initiating court proceedings.

Opting for this mechanism is in line with the recommendation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia that beneficiaries of public funds should give priority to the peaceful settlement of labour disputes in order to avoid the high costs and lengthy duration of court procedures.

So far, a total of 721 procedures have been initiated, of which 435 were submitted through joint proposals of the parties, while 286 were submitted through individual proposals. According to announcements by representatives of employees and the employer, it is expected that additional proposals will be submitted in the coming period, which further confirms the trust in the work of the Agency.

This case clearly demonstrates that the peaceful settlement of labour disputes represents a fast, efficient and cost-effective way of protecting rights, as arbitral decisions that have the legal force of a final court judgment can be reached within a relatively short period of time—up to 30 days. At the same time, such an approach contributes to preserving stable labour relations and strengthening social dialogue.