Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Serbia (Ratification: 2009)

The Committee notes the observations of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (CATUS) communicated with the Government’s report.

Article 2(3) of the Convention. Ratification of relevant Occupational Safety and Health Conventions of the ILO. The Committee takes note of the Government’s indication that, in 2016, the Serbian Assembly will consider the ratification of the Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184), and that the legislative process will include consultations with the social partners in the framework of the Social and Economic Council. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on progress made towards the ratification of Convention No. 184 and to indicate the manner in which the possibility of ratifying other relevant occupational safety and health (OSH) instruments of the ILO, including the Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), is periodically considered in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers.

Article 4(2)(d). Cooperation between management, workers and their representatives. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes from the Government’s report that sections 44–48 of the Occupational Safety and Health Law on the establishment of OSH Boards at the level of the undertaking apply to all enterprises, irrespective of their size. It further notes the Government’s indication that all OSH regulations prescribe that employers and workers must collaborate on OSH matters. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any measures taken to promote the effective cooperation between management, workers and their representatives at the level of the undertaking.

Article 4(3)(f). Collection and analysis of data on occupational accidents and diseases. Application in practice. The Committee notes the observation of the CATUS according to which work-related injuries and accidents are not all reported due to the importance of the informal economy and the failure of employers to register workers with social insurance authorities and to take responsibility when an accident occurs. CATUS alleges that as a result, injuries sustained by unregistered workers are not made known, except for fatalities which occur predominantly in the construction sector. CATUS adds that statistics on occupational injuries and diseases are not readily available to the public and trade unions. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments in respect of the observations made by CATUS.

Article 4(3)(h). Micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the informal economy. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that under the new Strategy for Safety and Health at Work for 2013–17, provisions are made for the introduction of OiRA and PRO RISK tools in micro-enterprises, SMEs and the informal economy with a view to enhancing workplace risk assessment. It also refers to a number of seminars organized in these undertakings, in cooperation with the social partners, to sensitize employers and workers to OSH matters. Finally, the Government indicates that several guidelines addressing specific OSH issues (such as risk assessment in SMEs or exposure to high temperatures) have been published on the website of the Ministry of Labour. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on progress achieved towards the introduction of risk assessment tools in micro-enterprises, SMEs and the informal economy, including a description of these tools, and on the results obtained. It also requests the Government to give particulars of any other initiatives aimed at progressively improving occupational safety and health in micro-enterprises, SMEs and the informal economy.

Article 5(2)(c). Formulation and review of the national programme on OSH in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that following the assessment of the national system on OSH, a report on the realization of the Strategy for Safety and Health at Work for 2009–12 had been prepared by the Serbian Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Labour Inspectorate, in collaboration with a number of representative organizations of employers and workers and other interested parties. In accordance with the proposals of this report, the Law on Safety and Health at Work was to be amended by the end of 2014. The Government further indicates that the new Strategy for Safety and Health at Work for 2013–17 aims to reduce the number of occupational injuries by 5 per cent by 2017 and sets out a number of objectives, including: harmonizing national laws with EU regulations; promoting occupational safety and health in primary and secondary schools; enhancing training of safety and health professionals; and introducing a single register of occupational injuries. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any progress achieved in the implementation of the Strategy for Safety and Health at Work for 2013–17 and the results thereof, as well as on any amendments made to the Law on Safety and Health at Work. It also requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken to review the national Strategy on the basis of analysis of the national situation regarding OSH, and the results thereof, as well as on any other measures adopted to promote the development of a national preventative safety and health culture.