Long working hours not only leads to health problems (increased risk for depression, heart disease), but also reduces productivity. In Serbia, the trade unions decided not to allow either the first or second and made a proposal to reduce the working week.
According to the Agency TASS, thus the Union of independent trade unions of Serbia supported the initiative of their European colleagues who advocate a 35-hour working week (7 hours per day). “It would be a positive step towards overcoming unemployment, – said the Vice-President of the Union Dusko Vukovic. – I think that by reducing the working week to 35 hours a certain number of unemployed will finally be able to get a job”. According to him, once in the EU, in which Serbia seeks to support this initiative, and Belgrade should follow suit. “I think a 7-hour working day you need to enter in all sectors of the economy,” said Vukovic.
However, before the reduced schedule, he said, began to comply with the current laws prescribing a 40-hour working week. The unions say that workers ‘ rights are violated at every step. Even officials can’t relax in the evenings, they often have to answer phone calls, solve various issues during school hours.
