Segol: There can be no progress without social dialogue

BELGRADE - Social dialogue is one of the most important segments to ensure sustainability of any planned reforms and economic and societal progress, European Trade Union Confederation Secretary General (ETUC) Bernadette Segol said in Belgrade Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS), Segol said that decisions about important issues, such as labor laws, should never be made without consultation with the unions.

It is important to identify areas where reforms are necessary, as reforms are not to be made just for the reforms' sake, but rather for the sake of economic and social progress, she said, adding that all this is conditional on quality social dialogue.

Segol said that the cooperation she sees between the SSSS and the United Branch Trade Unions 'Nezavisnost' (UGS Nezavisnost) is a good step forward and the ETUC will back their efforts to improve labor legislation.

The ETUC advocates for a policy of investment and creation of new jobs, and a reduction of wages and pensions will not help a country's development in the long term, said Segol.

Segol is in Serbia on an invitation from the two trade unions and had a number of meetings with Serbian government officials yesterday.

SSSS President Ljubisav Orbovic said that there has been a lot of talk about reforms lately but nobody said anything about which reforms precisely are expected in Serbia.

Touching on the labor law issue, Orbovic expressed hope that the new law will be reached through an agreement between the trade unions, employers and the government and that they will succeed in their efforts to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.

Photo Tanjug...