Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Serbia Report Launched

The report Gender-Based Discrimination and Labour in Serbia was launched today, 23 Feb., in an online event organised by The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (Kvinna till Kvinna).

This report examines gender-based discrimination and labour, as part of a regional initiative to address such discrimination in six Western Balkan countries. The research indicates that sexual harassment in labour in Serbia continues to be a serious problem, particularly affecting women.  The report provides information about shortcomings in the relevant legal framework; the prevalence and nature of gender-based discrimination related to labour; the extent to which people have filed claims; and how institutions have treated such cases.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is foto-3-1024x584.png

The Head of Operations at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia, Leonetta Pajer, provided opening statements for the event, in which she observed that women are disadvantaged compared to men in almost all spheres and that the gender gap persists on most labour market indicators. She said that the EU’s new Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025 (GAPIII) adopted at the end of 2020, sets out an ambitious agenda to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment through all external action of the EU.

“Therefore, I hope that the results of the research report will raise awareness and improve the knowledge of the general population on issues of gender-based discrimination in the labour market, especially for more vulnerable groups that are marginalised in Serbian society,” she said.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Leoneta-1024x597.png

Sofija Vrbaški, Project Coordinator at Kvinna till Kvinna, presented the research findings, which show that gender-based discrimination persists, particularly in hiring, promotion, maternity leave and sexual harassment at work. Regarding promotion, every tenth woman respondent was denied a promotion due to gender, compared to only one man respondent. Survey findings suggest that gender-based discrimination particularly affects women working in the private sector.

Meanwhile, low reporting rates continue to pose a challenge for addressing gender-based discrimination in labour. According to the report, the courts still have little judicial practice, and few judges seemed knowledgeable regarding the relevant legal framework.

Vrbaški observed the key role that civil society has played and should continue playing in addressing rights violations. “The support has to be there. It has to be continued in the long-term, certainly beyond this program,” she said.

To contextualise the findings, Nicole Farnsworth, Programme Director and Lead Researcher at the Kosovo Women’s Network (KWN) presented the initial regional research findings. She noted that important progress has been made since the first edition of this report in 2019, though progress is mixed across countries. Still, a third of the survey respondents said they had experienced some form of labour-related gender-based discrimination (36% of women and 18% of men).​

“Gender-based discrimination in hiring remains widespread, having affected two-thirds of respondents who attended [job] interviews since 2018.​ More women than men were asked about their marital status, plans to marry, children or plans to have children.​ More women faced discrimination in promotion.​ Statistical data show that the gender pay gap persists across the region,” she said. ​ Moreover, “several countries do not sufficiently protect victims from victimisation.”

Farnsworth said that KWN believes that the “triangle” of cooperation among government, civil society organisations (CSOs), the EU and other international actors can contribute to legal and institutional change. ​She also said that continued funding and engagement of CSOs is important for holding institutions accountable, providing legal aid and monitoring institutional response while assisting cases. ​

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is foto4-1024x386.png

During the presentation participants cited several good examples, including praising the Ombudsperson Institution, as trust in this institution seems to have increased.

Regarding legal aid provided to survivors of gender-based discrimination in labour through this regional Action, Sanja Ćopić, Researcher at the Victimology Society of Serbia, spoke about their experience providing legal aid to survivors of gender-based discrimination in labour, highlighting the importance of this work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The role of CSOs is very important in advocating women’s labour rights and their protection. Their role is very important in networking with different stakeholders, from civil society organisations to different institutions and labour unions, and I think that through this networking maybe we can do something to improve the situation in the labour market,” she said.

The event was moderated by Tamara Šmidling, Programme Officer at the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation.

The research was funded by the EU and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The research has been done in the framework of the regional action of Empowering CSOs in Combatting Discrimination and Furthering Women’s Labour Rights.