Bišćević Tokić for NAP: While citizens hear about austerity, pre-election hirings swallow millions

(Patria) - While citizens are daily bombarded with messages about cost rationalization and the need for responsible public money management, the practice of institutions shows a completely different picture, warns Federal MP Jasmina Bišćević Tokić (SDA).

As the election year approaches, she emphasizes, decisions on new hirings in the public sector are increasing, which justifiably raises questions about the system's actual needs and the authorities' priorities.

Bišćević Tokić reminds that at the 68th session of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on March 18, 2026, approval was given for filling 15 positions and hiring four trainees in the Federal Civil Protection Administration.

Particular attention, states the interlocutor of the News Agency Patria (NAP), is drawn to the fact that as many as nine heads of departments, a chief federal inspector, and a head of cabinet are being sought, although according to available information, such needs were not foreseen in the Employment Plan or the Work Program for 2026.

At the same time, adds Bišćević Tokić, Sarajevo International Airport announced a competition for hiring 152 employees back in February, while JP Elektroprivreda BiH published a public advertisement for the hiring of 12 employees for fixed-term and indefinite periods.

The competition envisages the employment of seven employees on an indefinite basis and five trainees, for the needs of organizational units in Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Goražde.

- According to information published by numerous media outlets, Željeznice Federacije BiH is also preparing a competition to hire 24 new employees, although the Management states that the competition has not yet been officially announced - specifies Bišćević Tokić.

She points out that the latest decision of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted at the 321st emergency session, which approved the new Rulebook on Internal Organization of the Federal Ministry of Health, also attracts particular attention.

- According to the current rulebook, 80 employees are systematized, currently 38 are employed, while the budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2026 plans for the financing of 48 employees - explains the federal MP.

- In other words, she continues, there was a possibility to hire ten more employees within the existing system.

However, the new rulebook envisages as many as 112 employees, which, according to the estimates of the Federal Ministry of Finance, would require an additional KM 1,880,000 in budget funds, and they expressed serious reservations about the rulebook.

- Of course, no one disputes the fact that certain institutions and public enterprises have a real need for new staff. Many sectors have been functioning with an insufficient number of employees for years, and this directly affects the quality of services citizens receive.

However, the problem arises when hirings intensify precisely in an election year, especially for management positions, while at the same time serious reforms and strengthening of the services most needed by citizens are lacking - emphasizes Bišćević Tokić.

Therefore, she stresses, the question is increasingly being asked whether we are witnessing the planned strengthening of institutional capacities or yet another cycle of pre-election hiring and expansion of party influence through the public sector.

- In a society where citizens' trust in institutions has already been seriously eroded, transparency, clear criteria, and accountability in hiring should be the basic standard, not the exception - concludes Bišćević Tokić in an interview with NAP.