Ećo for NAP: The FBiH Government should state today what they have done, tomorrow is too late!

(Patria) - Suad Ećo, Bosnian businessman and member of the Management Board of the FBiH Employers' Association, and president of the BiH Wood Processors' Association, says in an interview with the Patria News Agency that he expects the FBiH Government to state at a press conference today not what they will do, but what they have done to save BiH companies.

"There is too much talk, too little action. Everything is announced, but there are no concrete steps. Employers are facing huge problems due to the crisis caused by the spread of coronavirus. And what has been adopted is unclear.

What did they talk about with banks regarding the moratorium. Banks have signed permanent orders, they will withdraw everything that comes in, because they are doing as they have learned," said Ećo.

He points out that decisions should have been made 15 days ago, not the day before the start of a new month.

"Today is March 31st. You will see how many people will seek help from the employment bureau. Especially those who had fixed-term contracts. Banks asked us to provide a list or a statement on which sectors are affected. But, apart from some food supermarkets, which sector is not affected?", Ećo wonders.

The Federal Government must take responsibility, says Ećo, because everyone is aware that there is money, it just needs to be redistributed.

"But the work is too slow. We expect them to come out with a position today, tomorrow is already too late. In Serbia, concrete orders have been made. A moratorium on loan repayments has been imposed. Everything is unclear with us!", Ećo emphasizes.

The Employers' Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina demands that the authorities at all levels do their job responsibly and conscientiously, with the aim of preserving the lives and health of citizens, jobs, and the economy. 

"I think the FBiH Government should get involved, take over taxes, and perhaps cantonal governments should take over the payment of minimum wages, in order to save jobs," says Ećo.