The Montenegrin Employers’ Federation (UPCG) has welcomed the proposed amendments to a set of laws that will enable inspections of unregistered businesses operating from private residences and other unofficial locations.
For years, the UPCG has advocated for inspections to target those operating entirely “off the books”—without registration, tax obligations, or compliance with labor laws—rather than focusing punitive measures on legally operating businesses.
The organization emphasized that increasing budget revenues should come from broadening the tax base, not raising the burden on registered businesses, a practice that has frequently occurred in the past.
The UPCG sees the announced legal changes as a concrete step in the right direction, provided they are consistently enforced. They noted this is not only an economic and regulatory issue but also a cultural shift in business and consumer behavior necessary for Montenegro’s overall societal development.