Serbia opens its labor market to citizens of Uzbekistan
Serbia has concluded its first labor mobility agreement with Uzbekistan, granting Uzbek workers equal rights with local employees.
Serbia intends to open its labor market to citizens of Uzbekistan under a new agreement on labor mobility and labor migration.
The Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs of Serbia, Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski, called this document historic and emphasized its importance for strengthening bilateral ties.
According to the minister, this is the first agreement of its kind that Serbia has concluded with a foreign state. She regarded it as confirmation of Belgrade's desire to build strategic cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Stamenkovski noted that the agreement contains systemic guarantees for citizens of Uzbekistan who will work in Serbia. In particular, Uzbek specialists will receive the same rights as Serbian workers.
An additional demand for labor in the country is expected in connection with hosting the "Expo" exhibition in the coming years. The minister stated that Serbia will need hardworking, qualified, and conscientious specialists, including those from Uzbekistan.
In parallel, the countries are moving towards the practical implementation of the agreements. The Migration Agency of Uzbekistan is already conducting direct negotiations with Serbian companies that need additional employees.
A special working group has been established to accelerate this work.
Stamenkovski also announced expected changes to the minimum wage in Serbia. From the beginning of 2027, it is expected to be 600 euros, and by the end of the year, according to her, it will rise to 650 euros.
The Serbian minister separately emphasized the uniqueness of the signed agreement for her country. According to her, Uzbekistan remains the first and only country with which Serbia has concluded an agreement of this kind.
Speaking about the citizens of Uzbekistan already in Serbia, Stamenkovski noted that there are no recorded violations of the law.
She stated that Uzbek citizens respect the values of the host country, and the peoples of the two states are united by hospitality and mutual respect.