Košarac seeks solutions with German ambassador for posted workers from BiH

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac received today in Sarajevo the German ambassador to BiH Margret Ueber (Margret Uebber) with whom he discussed resolving the status of posted workers from BiH in Germany in the new circumstances caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

Minister Košarac informed Ambassador Ueber that around 2,000 workers from BiH are currently working on contracted projects in Germany, and that they have limited time for stay and work in that country. As he pointed out, a certain number of these workers, who were in Germany at the start of the coronavirus epidemic, have had their visa or work permit expire and are forced to return to BiH, while new workers should be sent to their positions, but due to the new circumstances, this is impossible. Additionally, the EU has closed its borders and prevented entry of citizens from non-EU countries, thus preventing workers from BiH from going to work in Germany. Minister Košarac noted that an additional problem is the fact that the visa department at the German Embassy in BiH, due to the coronavirus outbreak, suspended its operations on March 17, cancelled all scheduled appointments, and prevented the issuance of visas. 

Ambassador Ueber informed Minister Košarac that postings can be extended through regular procedures. As she explained, the companies to which the posted workers are assigned should contact the competent local foreigner services in Germany with requests for extension of the work permit or stay of workers in that country, after which the mentioned services will contact the competent labor agency in Germany.

Ambassador Ueber expressed the readiness of the German Embassy in BiH to get involved in resolving this issue, and stated that the chambers of commerce of the Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, as well as the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiH, can directly contact the German Embassy in BiH to resolve the issue of posted workers from BiH.

Today's meeting also discussed the current epidemiological situation in BiH in the context of the spread of the coronavirus. Minister Košarac said that foreign trade turnover is functioning under the new circumstances, and that he is encouraged by the establishment of green priority lanes at designated border crossings for the traffic of vital goods from the common list, agreed upon by the CEFTA Secretariat.

He also informed the German ambassador about other measures taken by the Ministry he heads to mitigate the negative effects of the coronavirus on the domestic economy. The interlocutors agreed that protecting the health of citizens is a priority, and expressed full support for healthcare workers in BiH in the current epidemiological situation.