Centre for Civic Education (CCE), with the support of seven non-governmental organizations – Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO), Union of Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities “Our Initiative,” Human Rights Action (HRA), Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG), Institute Alternative (IA), Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG), and CAZAS – submitted to the relevant Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue Initiative to enable the application to the Professional training programme for the category of full-time students who are beneficiaries of family pensions, through amendments to the Law on Employment Mediation and Rights during unemployment.
Currently, the Employment Agency of Montenegro (ZZZ) restricts regular students receiving family pensions from applying for the programme unless they renounce their family pension. Meanwhile, the Fund for Pension and Disability Insurance and the Tax Administration do not contest this possibility. The issue lies with the ZZZ, which is merely the technical administrator of the Professional training programme for university graduates, and should treat this matter as student benefit distribution, rather than employment, as it is currently classified. The NGOs believe this matter requires urgent attention and action by the relevant minister and the Government, as young people already in a sensitive situation due to the loss of one or both parents are facing systemic discrimination in this regard.
The way ZZZ administers this process places this vulnerable group of young people in a position where they are left without any income from October of the application year until February of the following year. Additionally, it remains uncertain if they will ultimately be accepted into the Programme after applying, which results in ZZZ unlawfully depriving them of their right to financial support, as outlined by the Pension and Disability Insurance Law.
CCE’s rationale includes several points supporting this Initiative, notably that those applying for the Professional training programme are neither employed nor registered with the Tax Administration for social insurance. Therefore, they should not be subject to the Law on Employment Mediation and Unemployment Rights, especially not in the current manner. These individuals are classified as trainees receiving an allowance based on student benefits, as provided by the Pension and Disability Insurance Law and the Law on Vocational Training. Importantly, the Law on Vocational training does not list renunciation of family pension benefits as a requirement.
We expect the Ministry, adhering to the principles of equality and fair access to the Professional Training Program, to respond positively to this initiative and ensure equal participation for youth without one or both parents without forcing them to renounce their right to a family pension. Considering the application deadline for the Professional Training Program is 18 November, swift action is essential to prevent this form of discrimination.
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)
Union of Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities “Our Initiative”
Human Rights Action (HRA)
Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG)
Institute Alternative (IA)
Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG)
CAZAS NGO