Government cuts costs, advances treatment of juvenile offenders and regulates labour market

Podgorica, Montenegro (28 October 2011) – Discussing the way of reducing public spending and rationalising costs, at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting the Government commissioned relevant authorities to prepare a decision to cut phone bills and fuel spending by at least 10%, and fleet costs by 20%.

Continuing efforts in justice reform, the Government adopted the Bill on the treatment of juveniles in criminal proceedings. Juvenile justice reform implies creating conditions for avoiding the traditional criminal proceedings against juveniles, thus abandoning the previous harsher model in addressing juvenile offenders.

The most significant legal novelty is the introduction of alternative measures that can be applied to juveniles at all stages of a proceeding in order to avoid punishing them. The Bill provides for setting up professional services that will support the courts and state prosecutors during the procedure and during monitoring the enforcement of alternative measures and criminal sanctions.

The decision on determining the number of work permits for foreigners in 2012, which the Cabinet also adopted at yesterday’s meeting, sets out that 25 050 foreigners in total can be employed next year in Montenegro, two thousand less than in 2011.

Previously adopted amendments to the employment of foreign labour ensure easier access to foreign labour market in Montenegro and contribute to the creation of more attractive business environment and greater opportunities for new investment.

At the same time, the provisions contribute to the reduction of supply and demand mismatch in the labour market, especially during the height of the season. Reducing the quota of work permits for foreigners means more local hiring, which will reflect positively on the income from taxes and contributions payment.