Hauliers to protest on September 1st: They will block the entire country

(Patria) - After months of warnings, hauliers have announced a major protest for September 1st, which will cause blockades across the country.

This includes blocking all customs terminals in the country, as well as blocking main roads for everyone except passenger vehicles. In other words, the plan is to prevent the movement of goods and services, imports, exports, and almost everything related to the economy. The blockade is announced until the demands are met.

If everything announced happens, it means that numerous processes in the country could be jeopardized starting Monday. The import of numerous goods, on which daily life depends, such as fuel, oxygen, but also other goods necessary for industry, will be impossible. This is the announced, so-called "French model" of blockades, but in a Bosnian way.

The protest is scheduled to begin at 6 AM on Monday, and in addition to customs terminals, there will also be disruptions in road traffic.

The reasons for the protest cited are:

- The authorities are aware of all demands; their fulfillment has been promised, but nothing has been done.

- The goal is to restore dignity and protect professional drivers.

- The state has not stopped the illegal arrests of drivers – even though ministers Forto and Konaković promised action.

- Minister Forto has not implemented any of the 17 agreed-upon conclusions, including the amendment of the Rulebook on Licensing.

- The transport sector has suffered damages of KM 243 million due to illegal obligations.

- MKT BiH has transferred the state's sovereignty in technical standards to other countries.

- Instead of solutions, new working groups are being formed, while some officials are threatening and blackmailing hauliers.

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not resolved bilateral issues with neighboring countries.

- Digitalization has been halted – procedures are still being carried out using an outdated model.

- Minister Košarac has not improved the work of the Veterinary Office or the coordination of inspections.

- UINO has not implemented any of the 25 agreed-upon measures.

They added that the infrastructure of some border crossings is such that nothing can be done at the moment in terms of expanding them, as they are located in the city center (Gradiška border crossing), but the customs service is doing everything possible to complete all prescribed procedures in the shortest possible time.