Gorčević: Chapter 2 regulates the right of citizens to work anywhere within the EU, without discrimination based on nationality

Chapter 2 - Freedom of movement for workers, brings more rights, greater security and less uncertainty for citizens, through better protection and equality for workers, regardless of where they work, was assessed at a panel at the Europe House in Podgorica.

This chapter, as announced, establishes clear rules that apply in all EU member states, on which citizens can rely, without distinction between domestic and foreign workers.

The panel entitled European Labor Market - New Opportunities and Challenges was organized by the Ministries of European Affairs and Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, with the support of the EU through the EU4ME project, as part of the 28to28 campaign, and in anticipation of the closing of this chapter at the Intergovernmental Conference in late May.

Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, emphasized that Chapter 2 encompasses policies that directly shape the daily lives of citizens, from employment and the labor market, to the protection of workers' rights and social security.

"Chapter 2 regulates the right of citizens to work anywhere within the European Union, without discrimination in terms of citizenship. I emphasize that EU citizens are equal, and when I say that, I am not talking only in terms of values, but through clearly set rules that are consistently applied," said Gorčević, the Ministry of European Affairs announced.

Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, Naida Nišić, said that Chapter 2 represents the foundation of the European labor market and brings broader opportunities for citizens and employers.

"It is precisely through negotiations within the framework of the freedom of movement of workers that a more efficient connection of the Montenegrin labor market into a single European space is enabled, in which knowledge, skills and experience can circulate freely where they are most needed. In this way, not only is the competitiveness of the economy improved, but also innovation, productivity and sustainable economic growth are encouraged," said Nišić.

The panel titled Freedom. Employment. Integration – What Chapter 2 Brings, discussed the impact of freedom of movement of workers on the labor market and the rights that accompany labor mobility.

The Head of the Working Group for Chapter 2 from the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, Ivana Šućur, said that Montenegro is in the final phase of preparations for the closure of this chapter.

Speaking about key reforms, Šućur pointed out that the European Commission (EC) has clearly defined the final benchmark for closing this chapter.

"Montenegro must demonstrate that it has adequate structures and capacities for the full and proper implementation of the acquis communautaire in the area of ​​freedom of movement of workers. Montenegro is expected to have full operationalization of key systems, such as EESSI, EURES and EHIC, a strengthened inspection for employment relations, which implies good functioning in practice and everyday use by institutions and citizens. Special emphasis is placed on establishing a reliable and interoperable IT infrastructure, which is fully operational," explained Šućur.

The representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dragan Dašić, spoke about the amendments to the Law on Foreigners as an important step in harmonization with EU standards.

He particularly emphasized that with last year's adoption of amendments to the EU Law, Directive 2004/38/EC was fully and systematically transposed into national legislation.

"With this law, EU citizens and their family members are equal in rights to Montenegrin citizens, including the right to work and self-employment," said Dašić.

The experience of an EU member state was shared by Croatian labor market expert Ivana Ružman, pointing out that the opening of the labor market has brought more opportunities for employment and strengthening labor standards, but also challenges such as labor outflow and a lack of qualified personnel.

She pointed out that the initial transitional restrictions in some member states were temporary, and that full freedom of movement for workers gradually led to greater mobility and integration in the European labor market.

"Croatia's entry into the EU in 2013 marked the beginning of the transformation of the labor market. Croatia moved from a relatively closed labor market to an open, competitive European system, with great benefits for individuals, but also challenges for the economy," said Ružman.

In the second panel, focused on institutional readiness, Gordana Vukčević from the Employment Service of Montenegro spoke, highlighting obligations within the EURES network and strengthening connections with the European labor market.

"The country's entry into the EURES network will bring multiple benefits. First of all, it will provide citizens with better access to employment abroad, with reliable and verified information. At the same time, employers will have the opportunity to find qualified labor from the wider European environment. Also, EURES will strengthen institutional cooperation, improve data exchange and contribute to the harmonization of national labor markets with European standards. In this way, EURES represents an important instrument for improving labor mobility, reducing unemployment and strengthening the overall competitiveness of the labor market," explained Vukčević.

The Acting Director of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIO), Vladimir Drobnjak, explained that the essence of coordinating social security systems is to ensure continuity and protect the rights of citizens moving within the EU, through the harmonization of national systems with EU rules.

"The coordination of social security systems implies a set of rules that harmonize national social protection systems with EU regulations in order to ensure the rights of citizens moving within the EU. Coordination refers to rights such as: pensions, health insurance, unemployment benefits, family benefits, sick leave and disability benefits," explained Drobnjak.

The representative of the Health Insurance Fund, Vinka Vukeljić, spoke about the introduction of the European Health Insurance Card and strengthening the availability of healthcare in the EU.

"The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a document issued to insured persons of EU member states and is valid throughout the Union and the European Economic Area, enabling easier access to necessary healthcare during a stay in other countries, under the same conditions as for domestic insured persons. The introduction of this card, which replaces existing forms, improves the efficiency of the system through the development of information solutions and faster data exchange, thus providing citizens with safer, more transparent and simpler access to healthcare services abroad, without additional procedures and uncertainties," said Vukeljić.

Labor inspector, Darka Radulović, pointed out the reforms of labor inspection and the importance of strengthening control mechanisms in the EU accession process.

"The Labor Relations Inspectorate provides supervision over the implementation of labor regulations, including the protection of workers' rights, control of working conditions and prevention of discrimination, while Montenegro, through the Action Plan for the period 2025–2027, is implementing a systematic strengthening of its capacities, through the employment of additional inspectors, strengthening cooperation with institutions and international partners, as well as the development of a Unified Inspection Information System and digital tools for reporting irregularities. These measures should ensure more efficient supervision and greater protection of workers' rights in practice, with consistent application of regulations and greater security for citizens," explained Radulović.

The panel was organized as part of the 28 by 28 campaign, which aims to bring the benefits and challenges of the negotiation process closer to citizens. Montenegro has so far closed 14 chapters and is expected to close at least two more by the end of May, including Chapter 2.