The Bill was presented by Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Prof. Dr Darija Kisic Tepavcevic

The chief reason to amend the Law is to harmonise some of its provisions with the Law on the Planning System, and define some of the terms used therein more closely. Namely, the Law on the Planning System demands the harmonisation of laws and by-laws with its provisions, within two years from its coming into force. The proposed amendments and modifications specify that the Employment Strategy and Action Plan are the basic public policy documents in the field of active employment policy.

The 2011-2020 National Employment Strategy covers a period of ten years, while the action plans, starting from 2009, were adopted on an annual basis. As stipulated by Article 11, paragraph 3 of the Law on the Planning System, the strategy is usually adopted for a period of five to seven years, and the achievement of its goals is planned and monitored through an action plan for its implementation. The amendments and modifications of the current law propose that the employment strategy be adopted for a period of six years, while the accompanying action plans be adopted for a period of three years.

The proposed amendments allow the Ministry, as the state administration body in charge of coordinating and monitoring the field of employment and drafting public policy documents, to plan public policies, monitor the implementation of the employment policy, analyse the implementation effects and coordinate with more efficiently, at the same time defining the activities of the other participants in planning system for their suitable participation. The existing coordination and communication mechanisms will be maintained and improved, both with other ministries and competent bodies, as well as with local self-government units. Also, the proposed amendments to the current law will contribute to the standardisation of public policy measures at the national and local level, which will contribute to even more efficient monitoring of the public policy impact by the Ministry.

Following a discussion the Committee unanimously adopted the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Employment and Unemployment Insurance, in principle.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Radovan Tvrdisic, and attended by the following Committee members and deputy members: Ana Carapic, Milanka Jevtovic Vukojicic, Vladimir Grahovac, Vesna Knezevic, Branimir Spasic, MA Danijela Vujicic, Vesna Krisanov, Milenka Subic, Haji Milorad Stosic and Nenad Krstic.