Collective bargaining and collective agreements in Serbia's private sector

The International Labour Organization’s first comprehensive report on collective bargaining in Serbia’s private sector reveals significant potential for growth and improvement. While only 13 percent of private companies currently have collective agreements, those that do experience clear benefits, including better communication, predictability, and workplace harmony. 

Produced under the project “Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Republic of Serbia,” funded by the European Union, the report underscores the importance of collective bargaining in fostering fair, stable, and productive labour relations. Despite its proven advantages, collective bargaining remains limited in scope and insufficiently documented in Serbia’s private sector. Existing registries primarily cover public sector agreements, leaving a gap in understanding private sector practices. 

To bridge this gap, the ILO commissioned an in-depth analysis of collective bargaining and agreements among private enterprises. The findings shed light on how companies perceive the process, the benefits they gain, and the challenges they face—providing a roadmap for strengthening social dialogue and creating a more enabling environment for collective bargaining.