Urgent letter from the European Trade Union Confederation and the European Transport Workers’ Federation

 

Dear President Vučić,
Dear Prime Minister Macut,

We are writing to you on behalf of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), representing 45 million workers from 94 national trade union confederations across 42 European countries, including Serbia, and 10 European Trade Union Federations, as well as of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the voice of 5 million workers in transport from over 150 trade unions in 38 European countries.

The ETUC and the ETF have been informed of the situation concerning two leaders of the Sindikat kontrole letenja (SKL), the trade union representing air traffic controllers in Serbia, whose security background checks have recently been revoked under Article 231b, paragraph 1, item 6 of the Air Traffic Law (“negative opinion from the security services”). As a result, they have been prohibited from performing their duties as air traffic controllers, and their independent access to the Belgrade Air Traffic Control Centre has been suspended – a situation that resulted in the immediate termination of their employment contract.

As you are aware, both union leaders played a prominent role in this year’s lawful, well-supported, and sustained strike action, with the aim that was in both the union and Serbian state interests.

The use of such a vague and non-transparent justification as a “negative opinion from the security services” raises serious concerns that this measure may be used to target trade union representatives and undermine the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Reports suggesting that the request for this negative opinion may have been initiated by members of the ruling party in Serbia are particularly troubling.

With the submission of an application for EU membership and Serbia’s recognition as a candidate country, the Republic of Serbia has also committed to the gradual implementation of the EU social acquis, including – but not limited to – Article 28 (Right of collective bargaining and action) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which has the same legal value as the EU Treaties. The ETUC and ETF therefore expect the Serbian authorities to demonstrate full respect for these commitments in both law and practice. We recall that the European Commission Serbia 2024 Report noted that “some complaints brought up to ILO about the infringement of trade union and workers’ rights have not been resolved yet. Capacity building of social partners needs to continue”.

In this context, we wish to recall the pending complaint submitted by the Central Union of Aeronautical Stewardesses and Stewards (Jedinstveni sindikat stjuardesa i stjuarda vazduhoplova – JSSSV) of Serbia, together with the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), against the Government of Serbia. This complaint concerns Serbia’s failure to adequately respect, protect, and uphold trade union rights and the principles of freedom of association enshrined in ILO Conventions No. 87 and No. 98, which Serbia ratified in November 2000.

In light of the above, we urge you, as President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, to take action to: