Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The European Public Service Union (EPSU) has sent official letters to Montenegrin officials as well as leaders of the European Commission (EC) and the European Union (EU), expressing deep concern over the breakdown of social dialogue in Montenegro.

The Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (USSCG) said the letters were addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic.

In the letters, signed by EPSU Secretary General Jan Willem Goudriaan, the Union expressed strong support for Montenegro’s representative trade unions, led by the USSCG, in what it described as a justified struggle to protect workers’ rights following the expiration of the General Collective Agreement on 30 April.

The letters state that the Government has left more than 100,000 workers in Montenegro without basic labour guarantees and protections by refusing to accept a previously agreed proposal put forward by the social partners. 

EPSU called on European Commission officials to urgently raise the issue of the deterioration of social dialogue and collective bargaining with the Montenegrin authorities at the summit in Tivat.

EPSU also urged the Government to resume negotiations in good faith without delay and move towards concluding a new General Collective Agreement.