Imagine this: the Serbian economy on the brink of collapse because workers are opening sick leaves like they’re on vacation! Yes, you read that right. The manufacturing sectors, especially during the summer months, are literally losing workforce because people use sick leaves to work on their farms or simply avoid work. The consequence? Some companies had to shut down their plants!
This problem is not just a headache for employers but also for the state, which loses investments and struggles to attract new ones. That’s why an electronic sick leave system (e-sick leave) is being urgently introduced by the end of the year, a system that will track every day of absence from work and help reduce abuses.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Adriana Mesarović, clearly stated that this issue is vital for Serbia’s economic environment. According to a survey by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the highest number of sick leaves is opened in Vojvodina, Šumadija, as well as in western, southern, and eastern Serbia, mostly in the metal, electrical, textile, and food industries.
Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar proposed that employers provide data on suspicious sick leaves to health centers, which will verify them. As a transitional solution, an electronic sick leave system has been introduced.
The IMF also noticed strange figures and warned about a large number of fake sick leaves in Serbia.
Will e-sick leave finally put an end to this epidemic of fake sick leaves, or will the problem just move to the digital world? One thing is clear – the Serbian economy can no longer afford such losses.
What do you think? Will electronic sick leave be a savior or just another bureaucratic burden? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll find a solution or at least a good joke on this topic!
