Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), together with Montenegro’s two representative trade union federations, has requested a meeting with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos to discuss how the European Union can support the restoration of genuine social dialogue in Montenegro.

In a letter addressed to Kos and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the ETUC, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro (USSCG), and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Montenegro (SSCG) expressed deep concern over what they described as the alarming deterioration of social dialogue and the systematic undermining of workers’ fundamental rights in Montenegro.

“As the country prepares to host the upcoming EU–Western Balkans Summit, we believe that progress toward closing Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment – has been seriously jeopardized by the recent actions of the Government of Montenegro. In addressing these issues, we refer to the key concerns detailed in our previous correspondence from January. Social dialogue in Montenegro is currently facing a profound crisis,” the letter states.

According to the unions, the Government has marginalized trade unions by allowing the General Collective Agreement to expire, leaving more than 100,000 workers without basic labour-rights protections. 

They argue that this situation is deeply concerning because it directly disregards the fundamental principles of social dialogue and runs counter to European objectives aimed at strengthening collective bargaining and preserving democratic workplace representation.