Croatia eases rules for BiH drivers, employers seek permanent solution

(Patria) – The Association of Employers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has welcomed the adoption of amendments to the Croatian Law on Foreigners, which partially alleviate the long-standing problem of professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina engaged in international transport.

According to them, this is an issue that domestic carriers, the business community, and the Association of Employers in FBiH have been warning about for years, as professional drivers from BiH were placed in a difficult position and unequal status on the European market due to restrictions on stay in the Schengen zone.

They emphasize that the new model of long-term visas and facilitated residency status represents an important step that will significantly ease the work of professional drivers from BiH and enable more stable operations of the transport sector.

However, they warn that the problem has only been partially and temporarily resolved, and they call on domestic authorities and European Union institutions to more actively approach the fulfillment of international conditions and standards so that citizens and workers from BiH have permanent equal and dignified access to the labor market and functioning within the EU.

The Association of Employers in FBiH thanked the authorities of the Republic of Croatia for their understanding and support, stating that they responded to the requests of carriers, employers, and institutions of BiH with a reform of great importance for BiH carriers and the economy.