Meeting of PM, representatives of trade unions, employers

BELGRADE - Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic talked in Belgrade on Sunday with representatives of trade unions and the Serbian Association of Employers about the restoration of socio-economic dialogue.

Vucic initiated the meeting, in which he called for understanding from social partners, President of the Serbian Association of Employers Nebojsa Atanackovic told Tanjug.

As the prime minister stated earlier, the government will on Monday start talks with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and social partners about a budget review and austerity measures which envisage cuts in public sector salaries and pensions.

Atanackovic noted that the prime minister informed social partners about the government's moves and measures in the coming period and asked for their assistance, so that "we all together help the state overcome the current difficulties".

He said that a consensus has been reached that social partners should meet more frequently and hold consultations on necessary measures- a reduction in salaries and pensions, the issue of restructuring enterprises that should definitely be sold.

Minister of Labor Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Finance Dusan Vujovic and Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic also took part in the meeting.

The socio-economic dialogue came to a standstill this summer because of the disagreement over certain provisions of reform laws, primarily the labor law, which trade unions qualified as unacceptable, claiming that they reduce workers' acquired rights.

In line with the decision of its executive committee, leader of the United Branch Unions "Independence" (UGS Nezavisnost) Branislav Canak withdrew from the Social and Economic Council in mid-July.

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