The debate on the Set of Laws in the Field of Public Administration Reform began today in the National Assembly.
On the Agenda of the session of the National Assembly of Serbia are the Draft Laws in the Field of Labor Relations and Salaries in the Public Sector, and Lady Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Marija Obradović explains them to the national deputies.
The Proposed Amendments to the Law set a new deadline for the start of implementation of the Law Governing Salaries, Wage Compensations and Other Incomes in All Parts of the Public Sector, which is January 2022, i.e. January 2023, when it comes to Amendments to the Law on Civil Servants.
Lady Minister Obradović stated, explaining the proposed laws to the national deputies, that the need to set a new deadline stemmed from, above all, the complex epidemiological situation caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, which unfortunately still lasts, and which has led to increased workload and capacity limitations in the public sector operations. Therefore, it was difficult to implement the activities of all participants in the reform that were necessary to establish an effective mechanism for the transition to a new system of salaries, in the public sector in the year 2021.
The Minister called on the national deputies to look at the bigger picture, emphasizing that the adoption of basic laws in this area established a good basis for the reform of the salary system, but that the reform requires intensive cooperation of all participants in that process, in order to reach the widest possible consensus in its implementation. The complexity of the Reform Process, as well as the analysis of the effects of its implementation on the budget, on one hand, the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, on the other hand, necessitated a longer period of time to implement the law, in order to implement all reform activities.
Lady Minister pointed out that, in addition to everything, the full implementation of the new system of salaries in the public sector remains a priority and strategic determination of the Government of Serbia. She also pointed out that the implementation of a comprehensive Reform of the Public Administration System and its professionalization are underway, as a priority of the Government and of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government.
Finally, Lady Minister Obradović called on the national deputies to respect the reasons for adoption of the proposed laws, with the aim that the reforms should be implemented for the benefit of the state and the employees who are carriers of activities in the public sector.
The National Assembly is considering Draft Laws on Amendments to the Law on the System of Salaries of Public Sector Employees, on Amendments to the Law on Salaries of Civil Servants and Employees in Autonomous Province’s Bodies and Local Self-Government Units, on Amendments to the Law on Public Service Employees, on Amendments to the Law on Salaries of Employees in Public Agencies and Other Organizations Established by the Republic of Serbia, Autonomous Province or Local Self-Government Unit and on Amendments to the Law on Civil Servants.