Training on Employment of Foreign Workers for Employers Held on March 20 in Belgrade

As part of the initiative “Supporting the Private Sector in Employment of Foreign Workers,” a training session was held on March 20 in Belgrade for employers who are hiring or planning to hire foreign workers. This event is part of the Initiative for Global Solidarity,[1] implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Serbia, and was held in partnership with the Responsible Business Hub of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

The training aimed to enhance the capacity of employers in Serbia for responsible and efficient employment of foreign workers by providing knowledge about legal procedures, worker integration, recognizing risks related to labor exploitation, and employers’ due diligence obligations in supply chains.

The training was preceded by a survey conducted among companies in Serbia, aimed at identifying key challenges and employer needs in the process of hiring foreign workers. Based on the survey results, a training curriculum was developed, tailored to the real needs of the business sector.

The training covered four key areas:

• Legal and administrative aspects of employing foreign workers in Serbia, including visa procedures and unified permits;
• Exchange of good practices among employers with experience in hiring foreign workers;
• Integration of foreign workers into the work environment and local community, focusing on challenges and potential strategies;
• Employers’ due diligence obligations in supply chains and recognizing risks of labor exploitation and forced labor, particularly in the context of European regulations.

The program was delivered through interactive sessions, allowing participants to engage actively, exchange experiences, and consult with experts. The training was led by Dr. Mario Reljanović, Research Fellow at the Institute of Comparative Law, Jelena Ilić, Program Coordinator for Asylum and Migration at the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, and Nebojša Lukač, a lawyer specializing in sustainable business and ESG standards.

This training is part of a broader initiative aimed at supporting employers in the process of hiring foreign workers, ensuring that employment procedures are carried out efficiently, in compliance with all labor standards, and with minimized risks for both employers and workers.

[1] The “Initiative for Global Solidarity” (IGS) project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

© photo: Belgrade Centre for Human Rights