Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Union of Free Trade Unions (USSCG) has welcomed an initiative by MP Bogdan Bozovic to define the right to housing as a constitutional category, in light of ongoing developments related to the process of amending the Constitution.

“This initiative corresponds with the initiative to include the right to housing in the Constitution, which we launched back in 2014 together with partner organizations from civil society, but for which there was no interest from decision-makers at the time,” USSCG said in a press release.

The Union said that every step toward creating the preconditions for a more serious and responsible approach to shaping an adequate housing policy offers encouragement and hope for the workers’ association that fundamental life issues important to all citizens will secure the place they deserve in political and social life.

Since 2009, USSCG has been advocating for housing policy reform, as well as for Montenegro to accept the provisions of the revised European Social Charter relating to the right to housing and the right to protection against poverty and social exclusion, thereby demonstrating a firm commitment to addressing these issues.

“As the state has not taken decisive and concrete steps in response to our initiatives since 2009, the delegates of the USSCG Congress, held in 2022, adopted a Resolution on the necessity of housing reform,” the press release reads.

To implement that resolution, USSCG launched the campaign “For Peaceful Sleep – Social Housing”, which remains ongoing.