[RTS] Increasing number of seasonal workers reported, including 700 minors
he "Seasonal Workers" portal initiated by NALED has been operational since 2019, allowing for daily registration of workers. Isidora Šmigić mentions that the portal has been fully taken over by the Tax Administration and has exceeded expectations from its first year.
- NALED estimates that before the introduction of such a portal, approximately 90% of workers were employed illegally, without registration. Employers can now easily register them, and there is a noticeable increase in registrations this year as summer begins, Šmigić said.
Nearly 14,000 workers have been registered in June alone, and around 20,000 since the beginning of the year.
The peak of the work season is from June to September.
The "Seasonal Workers" portal registers the highest number of applications from June to September, spread across Serbia. A large number of workers are noticeable in Vojvodina, with users also from Šabac, Vranje, and Leskovac.
The percentage ratio of employed men and women is equal.
- We only have insight into portal statistics; it's possible someone works under a different contract and isn't registered via the portal. Last year, 16,200 women and 16,700 men were registered, Šmigić summarized.
The most represented age groups are 16-30 and 46-60 years old.
- Minors have the right to be employed; they can't be younger than 15, but can be between 15 and 18. Registration allows them to avoid working illegally and to have a direct agreement with employers on conditions and wages. This year, we have 700 registered minors, compared to 800 for the entire previous year, said the NALED representative.
Opportunities for employing foreign nationals for seasonal work
For foreign nationals, employers only need to fill out a form available on the "Seasonal Workers" website and submit it to the Ministry of Interior (MUP).
- MUP issues a decision within three days and assigns a registration number for foreigners. The cost for the employer is the same as for a domestic worker, with a fixed amount of taxes and contributions paid per day of engagement per worker, Šmigić explained.
Isidora Šmigić from NALED noted that there is still room to further improve this highly successful method of addressing the informal economy, particularly in household chores, where primarily women work and 90% are unregistered.
You can watch the full interview recording HERE.
