Metalworkers and Trade Workers Protest with Marches in Fight for Their Rights: When Will Workers Get a Better Life?

(Patria) - The Trade Union of Workers in Commerce of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Metalworkers' Union of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have started the May Day protest march in Sarajevo. The gathering began in front of the building of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then they continue marching, some towards the seat of the EU Delegation, others towards the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The motto of the May Day March is “EU – Are we going, or is it over? Will and when will a better life for workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina begin?”. In this regard, they will present their demands to the Council of Ministers, as well as to the EU Delegation.

They remind that on March 21, 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina received the green light to start membership negotiations with the European Union, and that this important moment was in focus in the past year, while other processes in the country remained in the shadows.

Therefore, one of their demands is the intention to participate in the negotiation process, pointing to the need to harmonize domestic legislation with EU directives, through, among other things, an increase in the minimum wage.

In addition to marking the most important workers' holiday, today's protest will be an opportunity to send clear demands, not only to all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to the owners of capital.

Difficult material position of metalworkers

The Metalworkers' Union of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is also fighting for a better position. Due to the difficult material situation, they are demanding an urgent increase in wages by increasing the hourly rate through a sectoral collective agreement.

“Workers survive by patching things up with short-term loans or borrowings, or by working one or two more jobs at a time when they should be resting from hard work,” the Union states.

Given that the Employers' Association refused negotiations, and that neither the law on the minimum wage nor the set of fiscal laws were adopted, the Metalworkers' Union wants to express its dissatisfaction publicly.

If their demands are not met, the Union will make a decision on further union activities, including the possibility of a general strike at the level of the metal sector in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.