Montenegro: Trade union signs national CBA for construction

The BWI-affiliated Trade Union of Construction and Building Materials of Montenegro (SGIGMCG) recently finalised an amended national collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Union of Employers of Montenegro (UPCG) last 23 January 2024. The agreement, aligned with industry standards, pertained to the construction and building materials sector. Signed before the premises of the UPCG, the agreement underscored its direct applicability to employees and employers engaged in these industries within Montenegro.

Highlighting the success and stability of the previously signed indefinite-term 2020 branch collective agreement, both parties emphasised the absence of objections to its provisions. They stressed the agreement's adaptability, allowing for further elaboration through collective agreements with employers, employer general acts, and employment contracts. Provisions not covered by this agreement defer to the national general collective agreement.

Updates in the amendments encompass an adjusted salary scale based on education levels or professional qualifications. Notably, Article 11 introduces a minimum coefficient of EUR 4.00 per hour for unskilled labor, with co-efficients reaching up to EUR 8.60 per hour for those with doctoral degrees. Additionally, the amended agreement addresses the redistribution of working time over a year and increases the percentage of field allowances for employees without provided food and accommodation.

Representatives from both UPCG and the Union of Construction and Construction Materials Industry were present at the conclusion of the amended branch collective agreement, signaling a collaborative effort in ensuring fair and updated labour standards within the sector.