After 28 years, the status of cultural institutions in Zenica-Doboj Canton is being resolved: A new 15 percent salary increase is coming

(Patria) - A meeting of representatives of the Government and local self-government units was held at the headquarters of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) institutions, where the permanent resolution of the issue of financing and status of cultural institutions in this canton was discussed.

Prime Minister Nezir Pivić and Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Mirza Mušija, along with the President of the Assembly Ćazim Huskić, informed the leaders of cities and municipalities about the draft agreement regulating the financing of all 16 cultural institutions - the Bosnian National Theatre Zenica, city museums in Zenica and Visoko, and libraries in cities and municipalities.

- In less than two years, this Government has increased the salaries of employees in these institutions by 22 percent, plus an additional 15 percent through the rebalancing, after it is adopted by the Assembly. That is a total of 37 percent, which represents a special relationship towards these institutions.

Also, for the first time in 28 years, the Canton Government and the Ministry, in cooperation with the Trade Union of Cultural Institutions as coordinator, have considered the modalities of functioning of these institutions with cities and municipalities.



We have reached certain conclusions where the proposed agreement will be further revised in order to find a permanent solution for financing the operations and all other obligations towards cultural institutions - said Minister Mušija.

He emphasized that the agreement will not interfere with the founding rights of cultural institutions, which belong to cities and municipalities, but that, according to the proposed agreement, the Government, i.e., the relevant ministry, will have its representative on the management boards, since the Canton finances the salaries and material costs of these institutions.

- Founding rights remain with the local self-government units, but we want to clearly define the rights and obligations and for this to be a permanent solution that will enable the unimpeded functioning of cultural institutions - said Mušija.

ZDK Prime Minister Nezir Pivić said that the Government is committed to resolving this issue, as well as improving the material situation of all employees, including those in cultural institutions.

- After the adoption of the budget rebalancing, we have planned an additional 15 percent increase in transfers for cultural institutions, and thus an increase in employee salaries - said Pivić.