CIVIL SERVICE REFORM IN SERBIA –OVERCOMING IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

Rabrenović, Aleksandra and Vukašinović-Radojičić, Zorica (2009) CIVIL SERVICE REFORM IN SERBIA –OVERCOMING IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES. In: Serbian Law in Transition. Institut za uporedno pravo, Belgrade, pp. 29-44. ISBN 978-86-80059-66-2

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Abstract

Similar to other countries in the region, Serbia embarked on a process of comprehensive civil service reform over the past couple of years. The motivation for the reform has been the need to strengthen the civil service capacity, lessen political interference and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of civil service functioning. Following the passage of the Government Public Administration Strategy in 2004, two key pieces of legislation: Civil Service Law and Law on Civil Service Salaries were adopted in 2005 and 2006 respectively and their implementation commenced in mid 2006 and early 2007. The objective of the paper is to analyse key elements of new civil service legal framework and point out its main implementation challenges. The paper restricts itself to the following reform elements of civil service system – attempts to depoliticise and professionalise senior civil service cadre, enhance effectiveness and impartiality of recruitment and selection process, and make the civil service a more attractive employer through reform of its remuneration system. The authors argue that although important progress has been made in putting in place the civil service legislation which is in line with European standards, significant efforts need to be invested in order to implement and sustain this ambitious reform programme. The greatest challenges that lie ahead are ensuring the civil service professionalisation and competitiveness and creating an environment of trust, participation, shared values and objectives in which civil servants’ performance and talent will be able to be fully recognized and appreciated.

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