Serbia - Alarming situation in automotive companies - February 28, 2026

The Independent Metalworkers' Union of Serbia warns that the situation in companies operating within the automotive industry is becoming increasingly alarming. Due to a serious decline in activity and a decrease in orders in the European automotive market, factories in the country are facing a significant reduction in production volumes, which directly leads to an increase in the number of redundant workers. The union has previously warned about the challenges facing factories in this sector, as well as the consequences that such disruptions have on employment. During 2025, as many as 12,640 workers were sent on paid leave with compensation of 60% of their salary, for a period longer than the legally prescribed 45 working days.

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For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu. You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.