The right to work is one of the most important human rights and a prerequisite for reducing poverty and social exclusion. That is why workers’ rights must be protected, and conditions, safety, and health at work must be improved, as well as the financial position of all employees, said Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, on the occasion of International Labor Day.
On average, about one-third of all complaints addressed to the Commissioner refer to discrimination in the field of work and employment, most often based on gender, disability, health condition, and age, which is to be expected since this area represents an existential issue for every individual.
The most common reasons in the addresses of citizens refer to the impossibility of promotion or dismissal due to age, assignment to lower and less-paid jobs after returning from maternity leave, leave from work to care for a child, or because employers do not make assignments to suitable jobs following an assessment of working ability, as well as due to discrimination based on membership in political, trade union and other organizations.
Janković points out that frequent examples of unsafe and inhumane working conditions, which resulted in numerous deaths or serious injuries at work during the past year, as reported by the Labor Inspectorate, are of particular concern. We must not allow the fundamental rights of workers and human rights to be without protection in the labor market and for the market to uncontrollably determine the rules of conduct, which is why, among other things, inspection supervision should be strengthened.
When it comes to the position of social groups whose access to the labor market is complex and who are more often discriminated against, including women, persons with disabilities, members of national minorities, young people, and the elderly, it is good that active employment policy measures are taken to encourage their employment. Also, time will show that the future belongs to employers who are guided by the principle of non-discrimination and respect the rights of employees, Janković points out.
