Belgrade, July 9, 2001 - The Serbian government adopted the stand of the majority of the unions who do not accept the proposed model of an income system introducing "pay scales", at a meeting with the representatives of several unions of the public sector.

The Serbian government pointed out that "due to the refusal of the unions to adopt a unique income system, the current system, although unfair and illogical, will be applied in the future."

It was added that the government, taking into consideration the stand of the majority of unions, would accept the current income rates set by collective agreements to be verified by a decree. The government will, under the law, introduce basic proposals for the calculation and the payment of incomes.

The government appealed for the dialogue concerning incomes to be continued and "expresses belief that in further talks with the representatives of the unions, an agreement would be reached on introducing a just income system model, according to the complexity of work, responsibility, qualifications, and working conditions of the employed in the Republic of Serbia", it is said in the statement.