# Montenegrin labor negotiations and EU accession implications

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-labor-union-collective-agreement-negotiations
> Updated: 2026-09-04T11:40:49.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 4.

Negotiations regarding Montenegro’s General Collective Agreement (OKU) have intensified, with labor unions, the government, and the Employers' Union of Montenegro meeting to address the expiration of the previous agreement. A central demand remains the increase of the salary calculation coefficient from 90 to 100 euros, which unions estimate would raise basic salaries by roughly 11 percent. Other agenda items include sick leave, Sunday work, and a potential seven-hour workday.

Slobodan Mikavica, President of the Employers' Union, has maintained that there is “no guarantee” the coefficient increase will be approved, stressing that any wage adjustments must be part of a “comprehensive, sustainable package” aligned with the state budget. While there was initial optimism that an agreement could be signed in early September, the situation has escalated into a diplomatic matter.

The Economic and Social Council (EKS), the Union of Free Trade Unions (USSCG), and the Confederation of Trade Unions (SSCG) have formally petitioned the European Commission to intervene. The unions are requesting that the restoration of the OKU and the establishment of functional social dialogue be made mandatory conditions for closing Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment) in Montenegro’s EU accession negotiations. 

Labor groups claim the government’s failure to sign a previously compromised text has left over 100,000 workers without legal protection. They warn that the current deterioration of social dialogue poses a direct threat to Montenegro’s progress within the EU enlargement framework.

## Claims

- Unions are requesting the calculation coefficient value be increased from 90 to 100 euros. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Employers' Union currently has no promise that the calculation value will be increased. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Negotiations were restarted during August following discussions with the Minister of Labor. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Unions believe conditions are met to begin final negotiations and sign the new General Collective Agreement in early September. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Negotiations include sick leave, Sunday work, and the potential introduction of a seven-hour workday. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Increasing the coefficient from 90 to 100 euros would raise basic salaries by approximately 11 percent. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: Montenegrin unions urge EU to link Chapter 19 closure to collective agreement

Montenegrin unions have urged the European Commission to make the General Collective Agreement a condition for closing Chapter 19 in EU accession talks, citing a lack of protection for 100,000 workers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegrin-unions-urge-eu-to-link-chapter-19-closure-to-collective-agreement

### 2026-08-27: Montenegro labor negotiations focus on salary coefficient increase

Montenegrin unions and employers are negotiating a new General Collective Agreement, with unions seeking to raise the salary coefficient from 90 to 100 euros.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-labor-negotiations-focus-on-salary-coefficient-increase

### 2026-08-23: Montenegro labor groups schedule new collective agreement talks

Montenegrin government and unions will meet this Thursday to negotiate the General Collective Agreement, with unions threatening a general strike if a deal on coefficient value increases is not reached.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-labor-groups-schedule-new-collective-agreement-talks

### 2026-08-15: Montenegrin unions demand conclusion of new collective agreement

Montenegrin unions are urging the government to finalize a new General Collective Agreement by September, citing inflation and the expiration of the previous agreement in April.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegrin-unions-demand-conclusion-of-new-collective-agreement

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Cite as: Montenegrin labor negotiations and EU accession implications. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegrin-labor-union-collective-agreement-negotiations