2025-03-25
| Zrenjanin

Roundtable in Zrenjanin: Due Diligence in the Supply Chain – What Does It Mean for Workers in Serbia?

Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS)

On 25 March 2025, the Center for Democracy Foundation organised a roundtable discussion in Zrenjanin on the topic: Due Diligence in the Supply Chain – What Does It Mean for Workers in Serbia?

This event is part of an ongoing series of dialogue sessions organised by the Centre for Democracy Foundation within the framework of the Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Participants in the panel discussion included: Nataša Vučković, Center for Democracy Foundation; Duško Vuković, Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia; Bojana Tamindžija, Centre for Politics of Emancipation; Aleksandar Todić, GSM Nezavisnost (Independance - Branch Trade Union of Metalworkers); Milica Lupšor, ROZA Zrenjanin; among others. The discussion was moderated by journalist Ivana Gordić-Perc.

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which entered into force in January 2023, along with the forthcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), require companies to ensure the protection of human rights and the environment throughout their supply chains. These regulations have significant implications not only for the business community, but also for workers, trade unions, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders in Serbia.

The aim of the roundtable was to introduce the fundamental principles of these regulations, enhance understanding of their relevance for workers in Serbia, and create space for open dialogue among all key stakeholders. Through this debate, we sought to raise awareness of due diligence obligations placed on companies and their suppliers under German and European legislation; to explore the significance of these standards for Serbian workers, particularly in the context of human rights protection and the establishment of grievance mechanisms; and to promote responsible business conduct and collaboration among the business sector, trade unions, civil society, and public institutions.

How Can the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act Improve Labour Rights in Serbia?

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act has become an important tool for protecting workers’ rights, and its effects are already being felt in Serbia. Speakers at the Zrenjanin roundtable stressed the need for synergy and cooperation among all stakeholders—trade unions, civil society organisations, and employers—in upholding human rights in business.

The Act enables workers in Serbia to invoke their labour rights in relation to companies that are part of the supply chains of German enterprises. Over the past year, tangible results of the law’s implementation have emerged, with some Serbian workers lodging complaints about their working conditions and receiving responses from German companies. This is a positive development and demonstrates that the law is functioning effectively at that level.

With the adoption of a new Employment Act in Serbia on the horizon, it is important to explore how certain elements and principles of the German Act could be integrated into national legislation, particularly with regard to strengthening grievance mechanisms and ensuring they apply to all employers in Serbia.

Additionally, in preparation for the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, alignment with its provisions is essential, given Serbia’s status as an EU candidate country and its ongoing efforts to harmonise domestic legislation with the EU acquis.

For civil society, it is of vital importance to foster communication, education, and the establishment of synergistic mechanisms among key stakeholders—trade unions, civil society organisations, and employers. Joint efforts are needed to promote education and raise awareness about the mechanisms available for the protection of labour rights.

The Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German organisation for international cooperation - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).