Serbia’s Defense Industry Workers Warn of Employment and Production Risks
Trade union representatives from Serbia’s defense industry have warned that employees across the sector are increasingly concerned about job security and income stability. The union has called on state authorities to engage urgently to prevent disruptions to production and employment.
Workers employed across Serbia’s defense industry have expressed growing concern over their economic security, prompting trade union leaders to formally appeal to the government for urgent talks on the future of the sector.
According to the Granski sindikat metalaca Nezavisnost, employees in defense manufacturing companies are facing uncertainty that directly affects household incomes and long-term employment prospects. The union indicated that tens of thousands of people depend on the continued operation of these facilities, making the issue one of national economic relevance rather than a narrow labor dispute.
The union has addressed a formal request to the prime minister, calling for a joint meeting involving relevant ministries, company management, and worker representatives. The objective, according to the union, is to stabilize production, safeguard jobs, and prevent further deterioration of working conditions across the sector.
Correspondence was also sent to the ministries responsible for defense, finance, economy, and labor. The union framed the situation as a systemic problem affecting the sustainability of Serbia’s defense-industrial ecosystem, rather than an isolated wage or social issue. Officials have not publicly responded to the request at the time of writing.
Union representatives emphasized that employees remain committed to maintaining production and preserving technical know-how within the industry. They indicated that workers, management, and the state share a common interest in sustaining output and retaining skilled labor, particularly given the long training cycles associated with defense manufacturing.
Serbia’s defense industry remains a significant industrial employer and export contributor in the Western Balkans. Persistent labor uncertainty risks undermining production continuity, contractual reliability, and the retention of skilled personnel, all of which are critical factors for defense-industrial competitiveness and long-term capacity.
