LATEST AMENDMENTS TO THE LABOUR LAW (“OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF RS”, NO. 113/2017)

Latest amendments to the Labour Law in Serbia

On December 14, 2017, the National Assembly adopted the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Labour Law, which came into force on December 25, 2017.

The most significant amendments include:

1. Mandatory Social Insurance Application:
   Employers are now required to file a single application for compulsory social insurance no later than the start date of work specified in the employment contract or any other fixed-term employment agreement concluded in accordance with the Labour Law. This must be done before the employee or engaged person begins performing work.

2. Overtime Records:
   Employers are obligated to maintain daily records of employees’ overtime hours.

3. Delivery of Dismissal Warnings:
   A Dismissal Warning must be delivered to the employee in the same manner as prescribed for delivering a decision on the termination of an employment contract. This includes personal delivery at the employer’s premises or to the employee’s registered permanent or temporary address.

4. Amendments to Offence Provisions:

   • Employers who fail to comply with certain provisions face stricter penalties.
   • A legal entity employer may be fined between RSD 150,000 and 300,000, while entrepreneurs may face fines ranging from RSD 50,000 to 150,000. Offences include failure to:
     • Maintain daily records of overtime hours.
     • Keep a copy or photocopy of the employment contract as required by law.
     • Approve an employee’s use of paid leave.
     • Maintain monthly records of earnings and salary benefits.
   • Non-compliance with the deadline for filing the single application for compulsory social insurance constitutes an offence, with fines ranging:
     • From RSD 300,000 to 1,500,000 for legal entity employers.
     • From RSD 50,000 to 500,000 for individual employers.

For additional information, please contact our office.

Attorney-at-Law Damir Petrović