By The Trade Union of Media of Montenegro (TUMM) welcomes the decision of a number of media employers who have continued to pay increased rates for work performed on Sundays and public holidays, as well as overtime and night work compensation, despite the expiration of the General Collective Agreement (GCA).
We stress that the expiration of the GCA must not serve as a pretext for unpaid work or for depriving employees of rights they have enjoyed for years and which represent a minimum standard of protection and decent working conditions.
We are particularly encouraged by the fact that all media outlets where TUMM has union branches and which have already paid last month’s salaries have maintained this practice, demonstrating an understanding of the specific nature of media work and recognising that additional work and commitment deserve additional compensation. According to information received from our members, employees of RTV Pljevlja, RTV Rožaje, RTV Podgorica, Radio Berane, Radio Tivat, Radio Cetinje, TV Vijesti and the daily newspaper Vijesti have received enhanced pay for work on Sundays and public holidays, as well as other related allowances.
We expect other media employers to follow this example. We are therefore particularly surprised by reports that the Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG), despite operating with the largest budget in the sector – amounting to €26 million – intends not to pay its employees the increased compensation for Sunday work. Notably, this is the only entitlement that was not covered by the Collective Agreement that remained in force until yesterday, and according to unofficial information, management has chosen this very item as an area for cost-cutting.
The national public broadcaster, which yesterday signed a new company-level Collective Agreement that includes this entitlement, can and must show greater consideration for employees who perform work of public interest during weekends. We see no justifiable reason why RTCG employees should be deprived of compensation for Sunday work, even temporarily, particularly given that the same entitlement will be reinstated this month when the newly signed Collective Agreement enters into force.
Working on Sundays is an integral part of the journalism profession. News does not stop over the weekend, nor does the public’s need to stay informed. For that reason, Sunday work must be properly recognised and adequately compensated.
Media workers have already waited six months for the provisions of the General Collective Agreement relating to enhanced compensation for Sunday work to begin being applied, effectively providing that labour free of charge to their employers, unlike workers in any other sector in Montenegro. We expect employees not to bear the consequences of lengthy negotiations and the failure of the social partners to reach an agreement once again.
