A seminar on the topic “Role and place of the construction workers' union in the EU accession process” was held on November 7th and 8th, 2023 in Belgrade / Serbia. The seminar was organized by the Trade Union of Construction and Building Material Industry Workers of Serbia, in cooperation with the ACV Building - Industry & Energy, Belgium, EZA and was funded by the European Union. It was organised within the framework of the EZA special project for workers’ organisations in the Western Balkans.
The seminar was attended by 34 participants, and in addition to representatives of trade unions from the sectors of construction, forestry, wood industry and road industry (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Serbia), representatives of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of European Integration and the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia also participated in the work. Due to the publication of the European Commission's annual Progress Report on Serbia for 2023, the already confirmed participation of the Coordinator of the National Convention on the European Union was absent.
Participants were introduced to the legislation in Serbia, the European social model and key social partners, trade union environment, the system of representation of workers and employers, the ETUC, the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers, the functioning of the European Economic and Social Committee, i.e. the role of bodies in which trade union representatives participate, with a new methodology in the process of negotiations with the EU, the current state of accession negotiations and the role of institutions in the negotiation process, the criteria, standards and role of trade unions in the negotiation process, as well as with the challenges facing the construction sector.
The aim of the seminar was to exchange experiences and challenges faced by construction workers in the region and to identify opportunities for cooperation and joint action to improve working and social rights and opportunities for cooperation and joint action at the European level. The seminar was also an opportunity to become acquainted with the current state and perspectives of accession to the European Union, as well as with the standards and rules set by the EU in the field of construction.
Conclusions
The power of trade union organizing in the European Union countries stems from its diversity, which, despite numerous models of trade union organization, is based on common values and with the aim of representing the interests of membership and influencing policy making and decision-making in the field of social policy.
EU enlargement towards Eastern Europe has brought broad expectations for the economies, societies and labour markets of the new member states and raised social partners' hopes for improving living and working standards, new economic and business opportunities, as well as increased social protection.
Social partners in candidate countries play a key role in the accession process by actively participating in tripartite accession consultative committees and strengthening relations with trade unions and employers' associations in Western Europe.
As part of the harmonization of Serbian legislation with the EU legislation regarding environmental protection, participants were informed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia about new legal solutions, and regulations on energy efficiency, green construction, storage of construction waste, recycling and wastewater treatment, as well as about the measures taken for financial and personnel empowerment of inspection bodies.
Certain difficulties in trade union organization and collective bargaining are evident in all EU countries, either in the form of insufficient coverage of collective agreements, or in insufficient trade union organization. Construction unions in the region play a key role in protecting and promoting the interests of construction workers, but they face poor organisation, lack of capacity and support from state institutions.
The construction sector is of strategic importance for the economic development and infrastructural integration of the region, but in the candidate countries it is exposed to a number of problems, such as low wages, informal employment, unsafe working conditions, unskilled workforce, youth lack of interest in jobs in construction and insufficient coverage of collective agreements or the complete absence of branch collective agreements. The biggest problem is the lack of skilled labor force due to migration to countries with higher wages and better working conditions. As it is difficult or impossible for the union of the home country to protect the rights of these workers, the greatest protection of workers' rights comes from the unions in the host country where the workers work. Accordingly, cooperation between international and European trade union organisations and trade unions of EU Member States with trade unions of the countries from which workers come is crucial.
The process of joining the European Union presents an opportunity to improve the position of construction workers in the region, but also a challenge to harmonize national legislation and standards with European norms and practices. The participation of construction unions in this process is necessary in order to influence the creation of policies and programs concerning the construction sector, as well as the monitoring of their implementation. Construction trade unions, as actors in the process of European integration, can contribute to improving the quality and safety of work, protecting the rights and interests of workers, as well as developing social partnerships and dialogue at all levels. Some of the trade unions' participation in the accession negotiation process are:
participation in the work of working groups, i.e. negotiating groups for Chapters 2 and 19 for harmonization of laws and bylaws in the field of social policy, employment and freedom of movement of workers and cooperation with the National Convention on the European Union, whose members and representatives are trade union headquarters in Serbia;
participation in the creation of the new Law on Social and Economic Council, prescribed by the Action Plan for Chapter 19, and implies the strengthening of social dialogue especially at the local level and greater influence of trade unions as civil society;
organizing campaigns to inform the membership and the general public about the benefits of accepting and implementing EU legislation.
The need to strengthen the capacities of trade unions and regional cooperation and solidarity among trade unions to jointly represent the interests of construction workers at regional and European level, as well as to improve cooperation with other relevant actors, such as employers, state institutions, international organizations and civil associations, was emphasized.
Further work is needed, and above all, political will and commitment in order to continue and deepen reforms. The European Commission's announcement of Serbia's accession to the EU by 2025 seems difficult to achieve, both due to the political climate and the lack of consensus in the EU itself on further enlargement, as well as due to the large number of new regulations adopted by the EU and the insufficient speed of harmonization of domestic legislation with the European one.
The commitment of the Construction Unions of the Western Balkans to EU membership and gratitude to the European Union, the European Centre for Workers' Questions and the ACV Building - Industry & Energy of Belgium, who have financially enabled and organizationally helped this seminar, was clearly emphasized, with the assessment that this seminar improved cooperation of trade unions from the region.