Muhamed Pilav: Corona is a problem, but not the only one

By Muhamed Pilav

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For the coronavirus, we must urgently apply the old folk wisdom "better to prevent than to cure". The disease is spreading rapidly, and therefore we must all show responsibility and solidarity. We must help ourselves in order to preserve the healthcare system. We must not reach a situation where people get infected en masse, thus overburdening hospitals, which in that case, under enormous pressure, will not be able to do their job – to treat people.

We must take responsibility and, as soon as possible, send all employees in the public and private sectors on a collective paid annual leave for 15 days (except for institutions and corporations essential for life). Every worker has the right to a minimum of 18 days of annual leave. There are factories, companies, and institutions where 500-1,500 workers work in one building, thus creating a huge possibility for the spread of infection.

During these 15 days, the state can test all suspicious cases, provide them with adequate care, and completely stop the spread of the virus. After that, everyone can return to work normally.

On an annual level, this measure would not negatively affect the economy. On the contrary, there would be an increase in economic growth because due to increased consumption, goods of all kinds would be lacking in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU. Also, with this crisis, the hitherto undisputed supply chains from the Far East to Europe have been broken. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has always been known how to produce well and with quality, because we have always had the best people. In this regard, it is a natural outcome for us to become a production base for Europe.

If this measure is not implemented, the consequences could be catastrophic. Huge costs of stopping the infection, treatment, sick leave, impaired health of the working-age population, all of which would have far-reaching consequences for the entire society.

Also, it is important to increase the production and sale of food and other essential items. There must be no shortages. Serbia adopted the "Decision on the temporary ban on the export of basic products essential for the population" on Saturday. The decision largely applies to basic foodstuffs such as flour, oil, sugar, as well as some hygiene products such as soap, detergents, diapers, protective suits, etc. Why it is important to have our own production is now clear to us. Only what we produce ourselves in crises like this is something we can reliably count on. Everything else can be a long shot. Therefore, let's rely on ourselves and our domestic production.

Crisis is an opportunity

Every crisis is an opportunity, including this one. Responsible nations in extraordinary circumstances close ranks and make decisions that solve long-accumulated problems. I believe there are at least three major problems that, even without the coronavirus, are preventing us from moving forward:

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

First, both must be urgently removed from political organizations, and then from the entire public sector. All state property that is a breeding ground for corruption should be privatized publicly and transparently, and what cannot be privatized should be granted under concession to the best bidder publicly and transparently. In this way, the reason for illegal and corrupt disposal of public property, trading in influence, and other forms of illegal enrichment will largely cease to exist.

EMIGRATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE

We can quickly and significantly reduce this problem by increasing wages for employees in production. An increase in wages is possible with a drastic reduction in labor taxes. Such a move would fill state coffers even more, as a larger number of workers would work for higher wages, thereby increasing state revenues manifold. Also, mothers should be allowed maternity leave of 24 months with a minimum allowance of 50% of the average salary in FBiH in all cantons.

POOR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The education system needs to be urgently reformed, from kindergartens to higher education institutions. Our faculties must become reputable and internationally recognized. When a child turns 24 months old, they should go to learning (not just daycare, they are not sheep) and upbringing in free but excellent kindergartens. Children in kindergarten should learn, using proven and successful methods adapted to that age: mathematics, foreign languages, love for their homeland, parents, friends, and neighbors, good behavior, responsibility.

We must raise a new generation that will be ready to fight for Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily with knowledge and patriotism, and then, if necessary, with all other skills and capabilities. The profession of teacher and professor should be the best paid, and the best, most diligent, and innovative people should engage in this profession. All of them should undergo training and testing every year.

With such an approach, we would solve three burning issues. Young people would be able to earn more and live better in their homeland than in the West, because they would export primarily knowledge and new value, and produce goods and services for the German and EU markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(The columnist is a long-time entrepreneur, director of the company Unipromet d.d. Sarajevo)