The role of the State Conciliation and Mediation Officer (SCMO), as stated in the Act on Trade Unions and Industrial Dispute, No 80/1938, as amended, is to mediate in labour disputes, monitor developments and potential sources of conflict on the labour market, and keep a record of all wage agreements in effect in the country. All parties to labour disputes are able to refer disputes to the SCMO.
Mediate
in labour disputes
The SCMO helps mediate industrial disputes between trade unions and employers. Providing a venue where the disputing parties meet and negotiate their agreements, the SCMO’s services extend to both the public and the private labour market. The SCMO also provides preventive mediation, which is designed to avert major conflict and assist parties to reach a new agreement before the old one expires. The activities also extend to producing information material and organizing training events.
Monitor
developments on the labour market
The SCMO monitors developments and trends in the economy and the labour market throughout the country. The SCMO is expected to keep abreast of the wages and terms situation and any matter liable to cause disputes in relations between employers’ associations and trade unions.
Hold a register
of wage agreements
The SCMO keeps a register of valid collective agreements. Employees’ and employers’ organizations, and non-affiliated employers, are obliged to submit copies of all collective agreements they conclude as soon as they are signed. Amendments to previously made collective agreements must be submitted in the same way. This also applies to copies of all pay-scales and terms of service issued on the basis of collective agreements in force.