Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to the Social Council, the social partners: Montenegrin Employers Federation (MEF), the Confederation of Trade Unions of Montenegro (CTUM) and the Union of Free Trade Unions (UFTUM), are working on the development of a platform offering recommendations for the recovery of Montenegro’s economy from the coronavirus pandemic.
“The crisis situations, such as the coronavirus pandemic Montenegro has been fighting for 12 months, require partnership, pro-activeness, responsibility and an open dialogue involving all relevant social stakeholders,” says a press release issued after the Social Council meeting.
The Council meeting, organized by the Social Council and the International Labour Organization (ILO), with the Support of the British Embassy and the Good Governance Fund, focused on the increasingly complex economic situation and the ways to sustain as many companies and jobs as possible.
Vice-Chairman of the Council and Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatovic said at the meeting that the Government had adopted a Work Plan and a Budget Bill for this year.
He said that Budget Bill for this year, which had been very challenging for the economy, envisaged an increase in the minimum salaries, but not in pensions and public sector salaries.
Milatovic invited the social partners and the public to observe all health protection measures, adding that the pandemic control and immunization process were very important for the success of the upcoming tourist season.
In the field of decent work for everybody, dignity, equality and non-discrimination of LGBTQ people in the employment and labour relations, the Council gave its contribution to the implementation of the Strategy for Improvement of the Quality of Life for the LGBTI People in Montenegro 2019 – 2023.
The ILO expert for fundamental principles and rights at work Constance Thomas said that Montenegro’s legislative framework was harmonized with the majority of international standards and principles, particularly with the EU acquis.
According to her, Montenegro now needs to focus on the practical implementation and address bias and prejudice.
The UN human rights adviser Anjet Lanting said that the CEDEM research showed that the level of discrimination in the field of employment across all groups was the lowest on the basis of sexual orientation, adding that it stood at 34.9 percent.
In 2007, the UN adopted the Standards of Conduct for Business: Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI People, based on the observance of human rights, elimination of discrimination against the LGBTI employees and provision of support to the LGBTI staff at work, prevention of discrimination against LGBTI customers, suppliers and distributors, and standing up for the human rights of LGBTI people in the communities where they do business.
