A working group has been set up by the Serbian government to draw up possible solutions to problems faced by spa resorts and healthcare centres, privatised and owned by the Republic’s Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIO).

The working group will focus on improving spa resorts by employing more people and taking advantage of their potential as tourist destinations. The group will comprise representatives of the ministry of labour and the ministry of economy, PIO and the tourism sector.

Serbian minister of employment Aleksandar Vulin told inserbia.info that ownership of the Zlatar Rehabilitation Centre had changed frequently since it was founded, with many employees "working for years" without remuneration. The mayor of Nova Varos, Dimitrije Paunovic – where the centre is located – said it could employ 100 more people once its operation capabilities are maximised.

In addition to privatisation, Vulin noted spa resort and healthcare centre inefficiency problems could be resolved via strategic partnerships or employee shareholding programmes. The group’s plan is to make the most of health tourism, emulating the success of nearby European countries.

Paunovic recalled that 6,000 Nova Varos citizens emigrated between 2002 to 2012. He said he sees the opening of new positions for locals as an opportunity to prevent further migrations from the area.