Due to the large number of seasonal workers who were caught without a signed employment contract last summer, as many as 700 of them, labor inspectors are announcing increased controls this year.
Chief Labor Inspector Srđan Simović said in "Colors of Morning" on TV Vijesti that this season, inspectors will focus special attention on the beginning of July, when the most serious irregularities were recorded in previous years.
"These are undeclared workers, where employers have not concluded contracts or registered them for mandatory social insurance. We are the strictest in that area - we always react and sanction them," Simović points out.
He reminded that seasonal workers, regardless of their time-limited engagement, have the same rights as all other employees.
"The law clearly stipulates that an employee must have at least 36 consecutive hours of weekly rest. In practice, this means that even during the tourist season, when the pressure on caterers and retailers is enormous, workers are not allowed to work every day without rest," says Simović.
The inspection also places special emphasis on the protection of underage workers. Simović warns that last year, employers were fined a total of 130.000 euros for irregularities in working with minors.
"Minors are not allowed to work at night, they must have at least two consecutive days off, one of which must be a Sunday. In addition, their employment requires parental consent and proof of health. This is a sensitive category and therefore it is important that we protect them in particular," he adds.
Simović points out that the season cannot be an excuse for continuous overtime work.
"Employers know that they are expecting increased turnover and therefore should plan to hire a sufficient number of workers. Unfortunately, due to chronic labor shortages, we often have a situation where existing workers work longer hours, without adequate compensation or rest," he says.
He adds that inspectors are not infrequently exposed to pressure, verbal insults and even threats.
"Just yesterday we had a serious incident in Budva, where an inspector received death threats. Fortunately, the police reacted quickly. This is a difficult job and we are very often in direct contact with dissatisfied employers who blame all systemic problems on the inspectors," says Simović.
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