Serbian Government drafts labour law seen as favoring Chinese companies

The Workers' Party warned that the Serbian government is preparing a new Labour Law that, under pressure from foreign investors—particularly Chinese firms—could substantially reduce existing employee rights. Party deputy Željko Veselinović said the draft proposes longer working hours, cuts to annual leave, greater flexibility in scheduling and a weakening of worker protections, moving Serbia away from European labour standards.

The party vowed strong opposition and plans a political campaign to defend workers’ rights. It also highlighted an alternative proposal developed by the Sloga Union of Serbian Trade Unions, led by labour law expert Maria Reljanović, which follows EU legislation and the European Social Charter, offering stronger safeguards such as banning Sunday retail work, shortening the work week and improving overall labour conditions.