Access to Serbian labor market for foreign nationals is eased.

A total of 13,464 work permits has been issued to foreigners by Serbia this year. Personal work permit was obtained by 321 individuals, asylum seekers got 12 permits (nine in Belgrade). Foreigners classified under special categories have got 16 work permits this year.
According to Svetlana Milović, a workforce analyst at the National Employment Service (NES), there is a flow of asylum seekers from different countries (Iran, Pakistan, Cuba, Burundi, Cameroon, Syria, Algeria, India and Russia). 83 work permits were issued by NES to Ukrainians.
According to the recent amendment to the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Employment of Foreigners, effective February 1, all foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers, have streamlined access to Serbian labor market. It is necessary to highlight that a work permit is no longer required for refugees and asylum seekers, exactly as in European Union countries. Access to the labor market is gained six months after filing for asylum.
A work permit is no longer needed for individuals granted asylum in Serbia starting February 1. They also exempt them from high fees and complex administrative procedures. Unrestricted access to the labor market is provided to this demographic now, following the example of EU countries. The aim of the amendments is to enhance workforce integration, but they have also implemented some measures to safeguard the domestic labor market and to prioritize Serbian citizens for employment opportunities if necessary.
A labor market test must be conducted by the employers before hiring a foreigner. They have introduced quotas for certain industries. Sanja Granović from the Ministry of Labor and Employment has announced the cessation of the existence of the category of personal work permits in the system as of the upcoming fall.

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