On 13 May, members of the Culture and Information Committee held a working meeting with representatives of the Serbian Literary Society, the Serbian Writers’ Association and the Serbian Performing Artists Association. The session discussed the Bill Amending and Modifying the Act on Individual Performance of Artistic and Other Activities in the Field of Culture.

Representatives of artists’ associations and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy and the Ministry of Culture expressed their views and comments on the Bill. Special attention was paid to ensuring same rights for members of the Serbian Literary Society and the Serbian Writers’ Association, and forming a separate Association of Jazz, Popular and Rock Music Performers.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the National Theatre and the Ballet Dancers Trade Union, who presented the deputies with a request for amending legislation in the field of pension and disability insurance. Bearing in mind the stressful nature of their jobs, the ballet dancers requested that the maximum period of service should be twenty years, regardless of age. It was the joint conclusion of the deputies and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia that there was a will to find a solution that would take into account the specific nature of the ballet dancers’ job.