27.06.2026. 1:07 p.m
Democratic Montenegro will additionally change its proposal that workers in Montenegro get the right to an extended weekend once a month, and they are open to all suggestions because they believe that the measure would contribute to employee satisfaction and productivity – without additional burden on companies.
This attitude is not shared by the employers and the economy, who told “Vijesta” that the measure is announced without consultation, analysis and dialogue with the Social Council, and that at the same time entrepreneurship is being stifled with unsustainable proposals and political points are being scored.
On June 19, the Democratic MPs submitted an amendment to the Labor Law in the parliamentary procedure, with which they propose that workers in the week before the end of the month get the right to a non-working Friday, that is, exercise the right to an extended weekend. None of the neighboring countries currently have this measure, while the four-day working week is slowly being introduced by some European countries.
The Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) told “Vijesta” that when making these decisions, a broader dialogue with the economy and an assessment of the economic effect of the measures is needed – which was not done in this case.
“The deadline for making a comprehensive analysis of the effects is very short, which is why we are currently unable to give a detailed assessment of all the consequences that an extended weekend could have on business. However, in principle, we do not agree with activities that limit or violate the freedom of entrepreneurship and the autonomy of business entities in the organization of work”, stated PKCG.
The Employers’ Union (UPCG) believes similarly, i.e. that it is about changing the legal framework beyond workers and companies, while the role of the Social Council is being ignored.
“In this and earlier proposals by other parliamentary clubs, we recognize the attempt to win the sympathy of voters with questionable solutions, we appeal to them to refrain from this with the unquestionable willingness to work together to improve the position of employees and employers. From a professional point of view, we point out: the proposal is unfeasible and unsustainable in practice, bearing in mind the basic characteristics of our labor law system (full-time work, six-day work week in a large number of activities, number of working hours at the week/month)”, the UPCG emphasized to “Vijesti”.
“Vijesti” asked the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue and the Union of Free Trade Unions about this measure, but the answers did not reach the conclusion of the issue.
Democrat MP Duško Stjepović he told “Vijesti” that their proposal to amend the Labor Law is open for refinement, improvement and refinement, that they are open to suggestions from social partners, experts and interested parties, because they want the solution to be of higher quality and more sustainable.
“In the coming period, we ourselves will intervene on the text of the amendment to the Labor Law, in order to further specify the way of exercising this right and remove any possible doubt in its application. The basic intention of the proposal is clear, that every employee in Montenegro, regardless of whether he works in the public or private sector, while respecting the specifics of jobs whose working hours are already regulated by special regimes, will receive one more day of rest per month. In Switzerland, which is synonymous with work discipline, productivity and competitiveness, a pilot project of four days has been launched working week with the scientific monitoring of the Bern University of Applied Sciences. If Switzerland is researching and applying shorter hours spent at work, then there is no reason for Montenegro to talk about a much more moderate model, an additional day of rest per month, with fear, instead of with ambition,” he emphasized.
He added that the measure will not be introduced recklessly, without listening to the economy or space for dialogue, but rather it is a modern step forward in the field of labor rights, which should be followed by serious discussion, assessment of effects and standardization. He claims that similar models are already being applied at the European and global level and that countries and companies are already testing reduced working hours.
He emphasized that in the United Arab Emirates, from 2022, the public sector will work four and a half days a week, with an extended weekend, while the Emirate of Sharjah introduced a four-day work week – and that the results show an increase in employee satisfaction, a better balance between work and private life, an increase in productivity…
Stjepović added that the extended weekend did not lead to the collapse of the system, but to a better organization of work. He also mentioned that Belgium offers the possibility for workers to work their working hours in four days and get a three-day weekend, while tests in Valencia, Spain show that employees had less stress, better health, more time for family, reduction in traffic and emissions.
Stjepović states that pilot projects were launched by Portugal, Iceland and the United Kingdom, and that companies’ incomes did not fall, that the departure of employees was reduced along with burnout, while most companies continued to apply the model. He believes that the proposal is not an attack on employers, but an attempt to bring Montenegro closer to modern work models.
“We believe that with good organization of work, predictability of rest days and dialogue with social partners, this measure can be implemented without additional burden for employers, because its effect would be compensated by higher productivity, lower absenteeism, lower burnout and greater worker satisfaction. That is why we expect concrete proposals from social partners on how to make this solution the best possible, and not a foregone conclusion that Montenegro cannot do what serious countries are already testing, implementing and measuring with positive results,” added Stjepović.
He points out that the measure with standardization and organization does not have to increase employers’ costs, that it is useful for both parties in a time when workers are more difficult to retain, when young people are looking for a balance between work and life, and companies have challenges in productivity and motivation, so an extended weekend can be what distinguishes the modern from the economy of exhaustion.
Agree on the law at the Social Council
Member of the European Union Boris Mugoša told “Vijesta” that he believes that the priority is the adoption of the General Collective Agreement (OKU), while amendments to the Labor Law should be agreed upon at the Social Council.
“We expect that these and all changes to the systemic law such as the Labor Law will be subject to harmonization at the Social Council, which was the suggestion of that body to the parliament. It is important that all changes in terms of terminology be in accordance with the legal system,” said Mugoša.
“Vijesti” asked several parliamentary groups for their opinion on this measure and whether they would support it, but the responses of NSD, DNP, PES, URA, DPS, Bosniak Party did not reach the conclusion of the number.
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