Enormous electricity price increase for the economy in FBiH, employers protest, citizens will pay

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A number of companies held a half-hour warning strike today due to the announced enormous increase in electricity prices. Adnan Smailbegović, president of the Association of Employers of FBiH, said that they received information that the Government of FBiH is working on solving this problem, but that there are no concrete proposals. Contracts with an increase of 200 to 300 percent in electricity prices have already arrived at some companies. He points out that any increase of more than 20 percent is disastrous for the economy, and that citizens and workers will feel the greatest consequences.

"It is difficult to give a precise estimate of how many workers will lose their jobs, how much salaries will be reduced or prices of products will increase. Ultimately, citizens and workers will feel the consequences if this is not resolved. Up to ten percent price increase is something that companies are used to and have reserves for. The upper limit is 20 percent, so that the economy does not suffer huge consequences. Anything above that is a big problem," Smailbegović told N1.

He says that for years there has been talk about relieving the burden on the economy, but that has not happened. On the contrary, they have additional burdens.

"There is talk about reducing contributions, but that is not happening. Our authorities, at all levels, simply lack the political will to carry out any serious reform. They are going the path of least resistance. We need to make our economy more competitive. We have a very healthy economic sector. People want to work and fight, but they need to be given a boost," said Smailbegović.

He also stated that yesterday they sent an initiative to all parliamentary parties of the FBiH Parliament to adopt a conclusion at next week's session obliging the Government that the price of electricity for the economy must not increase by more than 20 percent.

"We called on companies not to sign new contracts. We hope for a solution," concluded Smailbegović.