The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue has announced the introduction of a law regarding “permanent seasonal workers” to facilitate easier access to the labor market during seasonal work and define the rights of both seasonal workers and employers.
The law aims to regulate the employment status of seasonal workers in key sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail, construction, and agriculture, which have significant seasonal job demand in Montenegro. The lack of a legal framework for managing seasonal employment has led to the need for this legislation.
The government began working on improving the legislative framework for seasonal employment in 2017, with the support of the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ). Following disagreements within the working group on the draft law, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue established a new working group to develop a more practical solution.
The law’s primary goal is to ensure legal security for seasonal workers by introducing the concept of “permanent seasonal workers,” allowing for continuity in their employment during seasonal work. This also includes improving social security by requiring employers to register these workers for pension and disability insurance during non-working periods.
The law will also compel employers to offer permanent seasonal workers employment for the next season, thus increasing job market stability for both workers and employers. It includes fiscal benefits and extended pension and disability insurance for permanent seasonal workers, contributing to reducing informal employment.
Key aspects of the law include the establishment of the “permanent seasonal worker” status, which guarantees employment with the same employer for the next season, and the provision of social security benefits even during the off-season. Employers will be obligated to offer continued employment under the same or better conditions for the following season.
The law also introduces sanctions for employers who fail to comply with obligations related to registration, job offers for the next season, and working conditions, as well as for any abuse of the “permanent seasonal worker” status.
The law is currently open for public consultation, with feedback being accepted until April 22. After the consultation period, the law will be reviewed, and a report will be prepared. It will then proceed through government procedures and be sent to the Assembly for approval.
