No explanation from the Government and ministries why the number of entities and workers receiving subsidies is decreasing each month

(Patria) - The FBiH Government, through the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, has allocated 100 million KM for the Decree on refunding the difference in contributions to private employers in order to maintain jobs in 2025, after the minimum wage increased from 619 to 1,000 KM in January this year.

The FBiH Government paid 10,394,500 KM for 78,146 workers in January, 9,934,700 KM for 74,190 workers in February, and 8,661,850 KM for 65,363 workers in March.

Neither the Government nor the relevant ministry have explained why there has been a decrease in the number of business entities, and thus the workers who are entitled to subsidies.

In January, 14,930 business entities and individuals were eligible, in February there was a drop with 13,697 legal and natural persons initially eligible, and appeals were accepted for another 634 beneficiaries, totaling 14,331.

Considering the money allocated for March subsidies, it is clear that there has been a decrease in the number of workers, with 12,504 business entities and individuals, or 65,363 workers, meeting the conditions.

The difference in the number of subsidized workers from January to March is 12,783. It is possible that a certain number of appeals will be accepted, but the difference in the number of subsidized workers is evident.

The Decree clearly specifies the conditions that employers must meet, one of which is that there has been no decrease in the number of employees compared to November 2024.

Only for the first three months, 28,991,050 KM have been paid for subsidies, and the Government could run out of money for subsidies in the second half of the year.

While the FBiH Government claims there is no drop in employment, official data from the FBiH Tax Administration contradicts this. For the first four months, there are about 7,000 fewer employed people in FBiH than in December 2024.