SEER Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe

This article outlines the empowerment of base-level trade union leaders in the agricultural sector in Bulgaria as an innovative strategy towards attracting new members and retaining existing ones. The approach has been adopted by the Federation of...

This article, prepared by economists from the Southeast Europe Trade Union Economic Experts network, analyses the main economic and social developments within south-east Europe over the past decade, focusing on macroeconomic stability, income...

This article examines demographic change, both globally and in the context of the wider region of Europe, paying specific attention to the situation in Bulgaria which has been experiencing a deteriorating demographic situation. Uneven economic...

From the perspective of Albania, a country currently outside the EU but which is taking steps to join it, this article reviews the current legislative framework introduced within the EU on artificial intelligence, workplace applications of which are...

This article reviews Bulgaria’s long and politically burdensome path towards the adoption of the euro, finally achieved on 1 January 2026 after almost twenty years of membership of the EU. It commences with a broad introduction to the key events...

Organisations require effective human resource (HR) management policies to address the diversity of a workforce which varies by age, ethnicity, educational background and professional experience. Multigenerational or cultural perspectives should be...

The digital transformation of tourism is reshaping labour markets and regional economies. Northern Albania, rich in natural and cultural resources but limited by infrastructure and workforce challenges, has adopted online platforms such as...

This article uses desk-based research to explore the issues raised by artificial intelligence in the labour market concerning its potential impact on vulnerable groups already experiencing discrimination such as women, older workers and disabled...

This article reviews the current situation in Georgia through the specific lens of trade unionism and the role of new independent unions in the street protests that took place during 2024 in relation to the country’s controversial ‘foreign...

2023 LFS data suggest that there are around 30,000 domestic workers in Albania. There is no available estimate of the extent of informality in the sector, but this is assumed to be extremely high. The labour code does not provide any reference to...

2023 Labour Force Survey data suggests that there are about 3,000 domestic workers in Montenegro, of whom three-quarters are women, while 55% are employees and 80% are employed outside the care sector. There is no legal definition of domestic...

According to the Labour Force Survey, in 2023, there were around 9,000 domestic workers (i.e. less than 1% of all workers) across the country. Administrative data on domestic work arrangements are scarce and, while anecdotal evidence suggests that...

The EU’s ‘From Farm to Fork’ Strategy, a central pillar of the European Green Deal, seeks to reshape the EU food system into one that is fair, healthy and environmentally sustainable. Spanning the entire food chain, it incorporates...

This article constitutes the formal paper presented by the author to the SEER Journal symposium ‘The European integration of the western Balkans’ which took place in Belgrade on 19 May 2025. The article seeks to centralise a revised Central...

This article analyses the effects of the European integration process on the labour market in Albania. It provides a summary analysis of a much deeper body of research examining the processes of European integration which have brought with them a...

This article reports on a study examining the impact of remittances on economic development and the labour market structure in Albania, focusing on both short-term and long-term effects. The methodology follows a quantitative approach, utilising...

Social insurance in the Republic of Serbia consists of three main components: pension and disability insurance; health insurance; and unemployment insurance. Pension and disability insurance includes both mandatory and voluntary schemes. Mandatory...

Survey data suggests that there are around 2000 domestic workers in Kosovo (i.e. around 0.5% of all workers). Women are present in greater numbers, while most domestic workers are aged between 35 and 49. However, Kosovo currently lacks a specific...

2023 EU LFS data suggests that there are around 17 000 domestic workers in Serbia (i.e. less than 1% of all workers). Almost 85% of them are women and more than 60% are aged at least 50. Serbia has not ratified ILO Convention 189 and no legal...

This article explores the challenges faced by trade unions in Serbia as the coun­ try navigates its transition to a low-carbon economy. Serbia’s energy sector relies primarily on coal, which significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions....

According to the 2023 Labour Force Survey there are around 4800 domestic workers in North Macedonia (i.e. about 0.8% of all workers). Two thirds are employees and, among those, the vast majority (more than 80%) have a permanent contract. Domestic...