Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – By adopting amendments to the Law on Internal Trade, the same constitutional and legal shortcomings were repeated, Montenegrin Employers Federation (UPCG) said, adding that these were the reasons the Constitutional Court had previously declared the provision banning retail work on Sundays unconstitutional, following the Federation’s initiative. 

UPCG stated in a press release that, during the renewed legislative process, Parliament did not take into account the recommendation of the Social Council, a body established by the Constitution and responsible for harmonizing issues of importance to employees and employers, comprised of representatives of the Government, representative trade unions, and the representative employers’ organization.

“It was precisely through this body that a tripartite compromise was reached, envisaging the possibility of Sunday work exclusively during the summer and winter tourist seasons, for a total of five months, a mandatory following weekend off for employees working on Sundays, as well as an 80-percent increase in daily pay,” the press release reads.

According to the UPCG, this ensured a realistic balance between the protection of workers’ rights and the needs of the business sector. 

The Federation believes that ignoring that compromise, means ignoring social dialogue as a constitutional category and a mechanism for reconciling conflicting interests in society. 

“It is particularly problematic that no relevant economic parameters were presented when adopting the amendments,” UPCG said.

The Federation added that the Montenegrin economy is highly seasonal, and trade is complementary to tourism, as a strategic sector on which budget revenues and overall economic activity largely depend.

According to the press release, the amendments adopted again on Monday directly affect the competitiveness of the domestic tourism, particularly in the context of regional competition, as well as the business environment and fiscal flows.