Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to the Employers’ Federation (UPCG), President Jakov Milatovic’s initiative to designate Sunday as a day when the Montenegrin economy comes to a halt is inappropriate and potentially dangerous.

“It sends the message that, after the Labour Law and other legislation, the Constitution is now also becoming a target in the pursuit of political points and personal ambitions,” the UPCG said in a press release.

Milatovic has submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend Article 64 of the Constitution, with the aim of enshrining at the constitutional level the right of employees not to work on Sundays and on national and other public holidays. 

He proposed establishing a general rule whereby employees do not work on Sundays and on nation and other public holidays prescribed by law, with the possibility of legally defining exceptions to this general rule in activities where this is necessary to protect the public interest.

UPCG recalled that, in line with its role and mission in Montenegrin society, it has been undertaking activities since 2019 to find a lawful and fair solution regarding Article 35a of the Law on Internal Trade, while fully respecting Montenegro’s institutions and the country’s legal framework.

“This approach resulted in a unanimous agreement of all three social partners within the Social Council, and our initiative was confirmed by a decision of the Constitutional Court,” UPCG said.

They called on everyone, and especially the most responsible social actors, to ensure that further consideration of this issue is guided by respect for the Constitution and its Article 65, which positions the Social Council as the institution before which issues of importance to workers are harmonized.