Press Releases - Archive

Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection estimates that yesterday's statement of the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Kori Udovicki, regarding the Initiative of independent control bodies to return the Law on the Manner of Determining of the Maximum Number of Employees in the Public Sector to the Serbian National Assembly so that it may be assessed and passed once again, objectively, constitutes an attempt to improperly present to the public attitudes of independent control bodies on rational employment and responsible attitude towards budgetary funds.

In this regard, the Commissioner has also stated the following:

A large number of media representatives and citizens have addressed the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection showing interest for his position and potential reaction on the fact that just adopted Law on Registry of employees, elected, nominated, appointed and engaged persons with public funds beneficiaries, among other things, provides for that ethnicity data of employees shall be entered in the Registry and processed.

In this regard, the Commissioners Rodoljub Sabic also said:

The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection met with representatives of the Network for Restitution in Serbia – Citizens Association for the Restitution of Confiscated Property "Beograd" to discuss with them about problems concerning access to information on the property under state ownership.

Representatives of the Network thanked to the Commissioner for help in various similar situations, particularly for the Decision by which the Commissioner at the beginning of July ordered the company for rental property "Dipos" Ltd. to deliver the Network for Restitution the list with a precise description of property, and expressed regret that "Dipos" has not complied with the Commissioner's decision yet and asked for further assistance.

Representatives of the Network presented their assessment that the withholding of information in this particular case is not only a consequence of poor organization and records or irresponsibility, and in this regard expressed doubts that the withholding of information is directly related to the preparation for adopting the Law regulating special conditions for obtaining properties under state ownership, with the aim of enabling a certain circle of people to become owners of property that was once confiscated from members of the Network, or their ancestors, under very favorable conditions.

The Commissioner promised representative of the Network to do everything he can, within his powers, that he will, at their request, fine "Dipos", and then ask the government to comply with its legal obligation, namely to ensure compulsory execution of the Commissioner's decision.

In this regard, the Commissioner stated the following:

The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection met today representatives of a group of more than 1 400 former workers of company "Magnohorm" Ltd. Kraljevo, which was also accompanied by the Chief of the Raska district.

Representatives of "Magnohrom" former workers expressed satisfaction and gratitude to the Commissioner for obtaining, after his intervention, from the Development Fund of the Republic of Serbia a copy of the Loan agreement that was approved to "Magnohrom" in 2012 and on the basis of which employee severance funds were provided, as well as a list of employees that received severance payments based on approved credit funds.

The representatives also informed the Commissioner about the problems related to obtaining, from other public authorities, information relevant to the exercise of the rights of former workers. They also made the assessment that a discrepancy of data so far obtained from some competent authorities gives rise to doubts about possible illegal disposal of assets or commitment of a criminal offense. In connection with the above issues, they asked the Commissioner for help.

The Commissioner promised the representatives every possible help, within their rights to free access to information and powers of the Commissioner, pointing out that with regard to specific measures aimed at eliminating or confirming suspicions of illegal acts or the existence of a criminal offense, the Commissioner has no powers, and that it is a task for other state institutions, especially the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor's Office.