By The Presidents of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Dominique Pradalié and Maja Sever, sent a letter of concern — at the initiative of the Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM/SMCG) — regarding the state of labour and trade union rights at the public broadcaster RTCG.
The letter was sent to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, President Jakov Milatović, Ombudsman Siniša Bjeković, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue Naida Nišić, Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović, and RTCG Director General Boris Raonić.
The full text of the letter is reproduced below:
Dear Sir / Madam,
The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ), alongside with their Montenegrin affiliate, the Trade Union of Media in Montenegro (TUMM), express serious and growing concern regarding the situation of labour and trade union rights at the Public Service Broadcaster RTCG. In particular, we wish to draw attention to persistent reports of anti-union discrimination, pressure on employees to withdraw from union membership, and the systematic weakening of the Trade Union of RTCG Employees.
Over the past period, numerous employees have reported being subjected to direct and indirect pressure to resign from the Trade Union of RTCG Employees. These practices have created an atmosphere of fear, insecurity and professional retaliation. Such conduct represents a serious violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Montenegro, the Labour Law, relevant ILO Conventions, and European labour and human rights standards.
It is especially concerning that these pressures are taking place in the context of broader, well-documented governance and legality issues within RTCG. The targeting of trade union members and activists raises serious concerns that these actions are deliberate and aimed at weakening collective representation, in order to reduce employees’ ability to protect their rights, working conditions and professional dignity.
We also wish to underline the continued failure to improve and sign a new collective agreement at RTCG. This leaves employees without a clear, binding framework for the protection of their labour, social and professional rights. Combined with pressure on the trade union, this situation points to a systemic disregard for social dialogue and for standards that are expected of public service media in democratic societies.
Public service broadcasters hold a unique and vital role in democratic societies. They are entrusted with safeguarding pluralism, ensuring access to reliable information, and reflecting the diversity of voices and opinions in society. Their credibility rests not only on editorial independence but also on their ability to embody democratic values internally. Respect for labour rights, freedom of association, and social dialogue are inseparable from the mission of public service media.
When violations of trade union rights occur within a public service institution itself, the problem is doubly serious. It undermines the very principles that public service media are meant to uphold and report on—democracy, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights. A broadcaster that fails to respect these values in its own workplace cannot credibly promote them to the wider public. This contradiction erodes trust in the institution, weakens its democratic legitimacy, and damages Montenegro’s international reputation.
IFJ, EFJ and TUMM stress that creating an atmosphere of fear and pressure on workers for exercising their fundamental trade union rights is incompatible with European values and labour standards. Such practices must be urgently investigated and brought to an end.
Creating an atmosphere of fear and pressure on workers for exercising their fundamental trade union rights is incompatible with European values and labour standards. Such practices must be urgently investigated and stopped.
We urge you to take this communication into serious consideration and to act, within your respective mandates, to ensure effective protection of labor and trade union rights of employees at RTCG.
