In the process of peaceful settlement of a collective labor dispute conducted regarding the conclusion of a collective agreement in the Municipality of Krupanj, the parties to the dispute reached an agreement on how to overcome the disputed issues and continue social dialogue.

The procedure was initiated at the proposal of the Organization of the Independent Trade Union of the Municipality of Krupanj, with the consent of the other party – the Municipality of Krupanj. Assistant Professor Dr. Aleksandar Antić was appointed as the conciliator in this procedure and, in accordance with the law, chaired the Conciliation Board, which also included representatives of both the trade union and the employer.

Following the hearings and the harmonization of positions regarding the disputed issues, the Conciliation Board unanimously adopted a Recommendation on the method for resolving the dispute. The Recommendation proposed that the parties conclude a collective agreement based on the agreed draft text of the collective agreement.

The agreement reached has created conditions for the continuation of constructive negotiations and the preservation of stable relations between the employer and employees. By reaching this agreement, representatives of the trade union and the employer confirmed that solutions acceptable to both parties can be achieved through dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation, further emphasizing the importance of the peaceful settlement of labor disputes and the strengthening of social dialogue.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes has launched the second cycle of implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF), in cooperation with the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), continuing its activities aimed at improving the quality of work and further developing institutional capacities.

On the occasion of the launch of the new cycle, Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Jelena Mrdak, Acting Director of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), signed the Project Assignment, formally initiating the implementation process of the second CAF cycle within the Agency.

The Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes was the first institution in the Republic of Serbia to receive the prestigious “CAF Effective User” label, confirming a high level of commitment to the principles of quality management and continuous improvement. Building on the results achieved during the first cycle, the new cycle is focused on further strengthening the organizational culture of quality, improving performance management, and enhancing mechanisms for more efficient institutional functioning.

Particular emphasis will be placed on analyzing the results achieved during the previous period, evaluating the implemented activities, and defining new measures and priorities that will contribute to the further improvement of the Agency’s work and the quality of services provided to its users.

Activities within the second cycle will be carried out with mentoring support from experts of the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), as well as engaged CAF specialists.

CAF (Common Assessment Framework) is a European quality management model designed for public administration institutions. It is based on organizational self-assessment, active participation of employees and managers, and the planning and implementation of activities aimed at the continuous improvement of work processes and service delivery to citizens.

By implementing the second CAF cycle, the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes continues to improve its internal processes and strengthen institutional capacities, reaffirming its commitment to the development of a modern, efficient, and high-quality public administration based on the principles of excellence and continuous improvement.

With the aim of improving access to justice and promoting the broader use of out-of-court mechanisms for resolving labor law disputes, the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes and the Higher Court in Belgrade signed a Cooperation Agreement. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, and Dragan Milošević, President of the Higher Court in Belgrade.

Through this agreement, the two institutions expressed their shared intention to contribute, within the scope of their respective competencies, to the development, promotion, and greater accessibility of alternative methods for resolving labor disputes.

The cooperation will focus on presenting the possibilities and advantages of peaceful settlement of labor disputes to parties, attorneys, and the general public, organizing joint professional events, consultations, conferences, open-door days, and information sessions, as well as exchanging information of importance for the further development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the field of labor law.

A particularly significant aspect of the Agreement is the establishment of practical mechanisms for cooperation between the Higher Court in Belgrade and the Agency. Within this framework, parties involved in labor disputes before the court will, in accordance with the court’s legal authority, be informed about the possibility of resolving their disputes peacefully before the Agency. In addition, through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Information Service, they will have access to informational materials, contact details, and other relevant information regarding proceedings before the Agency.

The signing of this Agreement represents an important step toward strengthening institutional cooperation in the field of labor law, as well as advancing the peaceful settlement of labor disputes as an efficient, accessible, and voluntary mechanism for the protection of employment rights.

In the process of peaceful settlement of a collective labor dispute at Essex Solutions – Balkan d.o.o. Zrenjanin, conducted regarding the conclusion of a new collective agreement, the parties to the dispute reached an agreement and signed an Agreement on the Resolution of the Collective Labor Dispute.

The procedure was initiated at the proposal of the Trade Union Organization of the Independent Metalworkers’ Trade Union of Serbia “Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire”, with the consent of the employer.

Prof. Dr. Sanja Škorić was appointed as the conciliator in this procedure and, in accordance with the law, chaired the Conciliation Board, whose members also included representatives of both the trade union and the employer.

At the first hearing, held on April 23, 2026, at the employer’s premises, the parties aligned their positions on the disputed issues, after which the Conciliation Board unanimously adopted a Recommendation on the method for resolving the dispute.

Based on the adopted recommendation, the parties concluded an Agreement defining the next steps aimed at overcoming the disputed issues and continuing social dialogue.

The agreement reached has created conditions for the continuation of constructive negotiations and the preservation of stable relations between the employer and employees.

By signing this agreement, the employer and trade union representatives confirmed that solutions acceptable to both parties can be achieved through dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation, further emphasizing the importance of the peaceful settlement of labor disputes.

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.