The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes had the honor of participating in a workshop dedicated to innovations and the application of behavioral science in public administration, held on November 22, 2024, in Maastricht, the Netherlands.

This prestigious event was organized by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) as part of the project "EPSA 2023-24 – The European Public Sector Award", supported by the European Union. It brought together public administration representatives from Serbia, Ireland, Portugal, Albania, Italy, and the Netherlands, providing a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and gain new insights.

The lectures and interactive sessions were led by Professor Lars Tummers, a renowned expert in public management and behavioral sciences from Utrecht University. Participants were introduced to contemporary theories and practical examples of applying innovations in management. During the workshop, attendees worked on developing concrete innovation projects and analyzed how scientific findings could enhance the operational processes within their institutions.

Representing the Agency, the workshop was attended by Agency Director Dr. Ivica Lazović and Advisor Miloš Prokić, who actively participated in all program segments. A key value of the event was the exchange of experiences with colleagues from other countries, which will contribute to the further implementation of innovative solutions in the Agency's operations.

Participation in such workshops represents a significant step toward improving our services and strengthening our capacity for the peaceful settlement of labor disputes. The Agency remains committed to continuous advancement and the application of modern methods in its work.

The cooperation agreement between the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes was signed on Thursday, November 7, 2024. The agreement was signed by the Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, Dr. Ivica Lazović, and the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade, Prof. Dr. Violeta Beširević. The signing was also attended by Dr. Mila Petrović, an assistant professor at the Faculty and a conciliator for the Agency.

The signed agreement establishes collaboration between the Faculty of Law at Union University in Belgrade and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, aiming to further develop and enhance the capacities of both institutions. This partnership enables conciliators and arbitrators to improve their skills while promoting the peaceful resolution of individual and collective labor disputes among students. Additionally, the agreement creates opportunities for exchanging information and experiences, participating in joint projects, and organizing seminars and professional gatherings in areas of mutual interest.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes presented mechanisms for the protection of labor rights within its jurisdiction at a two-day international seminar titled "Strengthening Social Dialogue - Due Diligence and Responsibility in the Supply Chain in the Context of Combating Human Trafficking and Labor Exploitation." The seminar was held in Belgrade from October 29-30, 2024, organized by the Trade Union of Construction Workers and Building Materials Industry of Serbia, ACVBIE from Belgium, and CNV Vakmensen from the Netherlands, with financial support from the European Union and the European Center for Workers' Questions (EZA).

The event brought together trade union representatives from Serbia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as union members from Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Germany's GIZ, and the non-governmental sector also participated.

During the panel discussion titled "Due Diligence – Grievance Mechanisms and Procedures," Dragana Andonovska, Senior Advisor at the Agency, introduced the audience to the Agency's work and competencies. She emphasized that disputes before the Agency are resolved quickly, efficiently, and free of charge, making it the most effective external grievance mechanism for labor disputes after exhausting all internal mechanisms. She also shared examples from the Agency's practice, highlighting the cost savings achieved by disputing parties who opted for peaceful resolution.

In the subsequent discussion, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify uncertainties about peaceful resolution of labor disputes and the Agency's role. Additionally, they heard experiences from union representatives who had utilized the Agency's services to resolve individual and collective labor disputes, gaining first-hand insight into the benefits of this external dispute resolution mechanism.

At the first "LEGAL PRO FORUM 2024," held from October 20th to 23rd at Zlatibor, a panel on "Long-term Corporate Value Creation" featured prominent experts in sustainable business practices and labor law. The panelists—Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding, Dr. Jovana Veličković, a lawyer from Belgrade, and Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes—discussed the importance of long-term corporate value creation through the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards. The panel was moderated by Dr. Ljubinka Kovačević, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade.

Dr. Ivica Lazović introduced the attendees to the work and responsibilities of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, emphasizing its role as an external mechanism when all internal dispute resolution options within companies have been exhausted. He also addressed the participants on the new regulations regarding due diligence in supply chains and their implications for business operations. Dr. Lazović presented examples of effective labor dispute resolution before the Agency, stressing that this mechanism is crucial for maintaining stability and fair relations in the labor market. The attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the potential application of these alternative mechanisms for protecting labor rights.

The panelists highlighted that sustainable development is a topic of the future, relevant to all companies regardless of size. It was concluded that collaboration between companies through experience sharing, as well as support from professional organizations, will be key factors in overcoming challenges on the path to meeting ESG standards.

A panel discussion titled "Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes – Arbitration and Conciliation" was held at the Bar Association of Vojvodina in Novi Sad on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

At this highly engaging event, Prof. Dr. Senad Jašarević, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law in Novi Sad, Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Dejana Spasojević-Ivančić, a lawyer, conciliator, and arbitrator, introduced members of the Bar Association of Vojvodina and the professional public to the methods and procedures for resolving both collective and individual labor disputes, the scope of arbitrators' and conciliators' authorities, and the types of decisions made in these proceedings.

Mr. Lazović presented the work, activities, and competencies of the Agency, emphasizing the important role of the Agency and its conciliators and arbitrators in resolving labor disputes, enhancing workers' rights protection, improving social dialogue, and adapting to new labor market challenges.

All speakers at the panel agreed that the future of labor dispute resolution lies in out-of-court methods, which are quick, simple, and efficient.

From October 8th to 10th, 2024, in Ruma (Borkovac), the "Study on Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" was presented to social partners. Along with the presentation of the study, a workshop was held to validate its findings. The study was carried out as part of the project "Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia," supported by the European Commission in Serbia and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Numerous experts and representatives of social partners participated in the workshop, including Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Dragana Andonovska, Head of the Legal and Professional Affairs Group at the Agency. Among the prominent participants were Prof. Dr. Attila Sándor Kun from Budapest, Lejo Siebel from the ILO, and Ada Huitbragtze, who will lead the ESAP 3 project.

The workshop participants shared their views on the study, emphasizing the need for legislative changes regulating labor-related matters. Through collaborative efforts, they formulated general recommendations for improving social dialogue in Serbia.

The "Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia" project will be implemented over the next year and is expected to significantly contribute to enhancing the state of social dialogue in Serbia. The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes played an important role in this workshop, actively participating in the development of general recommendations for improving social dialogue, reaffirming its importance in resolving labor disputes and strengthening tripartite dialogue in the country.