From January 2021, the Labor Inspectorate is responsible for ensuring the effective application of the provisions on equal treatment and prohibition of discrimination in the labor standards.

The Labor Inspection Service has an increased mandate to monitor and protect non-discriminatory principles both in pre-contractual relations with candidates and during ongoing employment relations.

Discriminatory treatment was recorded against more than 50 business entities, as a result of which protocols of administrative law violations were signed. Penalties included warnings and fines for violating the regulations.

In 2022, the Labor Inspection Service applied administrative responsibility to 47 entrepreneurs for violating non-discriminatory principles against employees and former employees.

Employers posted job vacancies with discriminatory criteria, including:

• Age restriction 39 cases
• Gender restriction 21 cases
• selection based on appearance and marital status 2 cases.

Compared to the previous year, the number of employee complaints to the Labor Inspection Service increased significantly, in 2022 a total of 27 complaints were filed regarding discriminatory treatment, including sexual harassment.

Based on the mentioned complaints, 18 business entities were investigated and discrimination was observed in 5 cases. In 5 cases, proceedings were terminated for various reasons, and in 11 cases, discriminatory treatment was not established.

In 8 cases out of 27 complaints, a different opinion, 2 political views, 1 nationality, affiliation to a professional union and sexual orientation, 1 determination of victimization were recorded.

The Department of Labor Inspection actively fights discrimination, sexual harassment and gender issues in the workplace.

Their main goal is to provide a discrimination-free work environment and maintain decent working conditions at workplaces.

Companies should understand the importance of “Engaging employees in safety initiatives”