Nikšić: Let employers publish their asset declarations before seeking state aid

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - I believe that in this situation there is no need to divide ourselves into the ruling party and the opposition, we have enough divisions already, said the president of the SDP BiH Nermin Nikšić on Dnevnik 2 of Federal Television. 

“I sent a letter asking that we set politics aside and that everyone in their own domain contributes to the fight against the pandemic. I am proud of the young members of SDP who volunteered, left their phone numbers and delivered food. I am especially proud of the healthcare workers from SDP, and particularly retired healthcare workers from SDP who made themselves available,” added Nikšić. 

As he says, while SDP offered measures without fanfare, the ruling parties used the coronavirus situation for promotion. 

“Sarajevo is plastered with billboards where the director of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sebija Izetbegović, boasts about her courage and deals with the prosecutor's office. The healthcare system nowhere in the world was ready for this problem. But that is why all expertise should have been put into action. Doctors who made themselves available were thanked with a note that they are not needed, while on the other hand they talk about a large number of sick leaves, which doctors deny,” adds the SDP president. 

At the same time, the Government of the Sarajevo Canton is dealing with the distribution of positions during the crisis. 

“In the Federal Headquarters, there was a conflict within SDA over who will procure tests and respirators. They advanced 4 million to a company dealing with woodcarving, the money was returned and time was lost. And then they expect the opposition to be silent,” said Nikšić. 

Regarding the IMF, he says that for seven to ten days we had a story that there would be no tranche, even though Bakir Izetbegović, Dragan Čović and Milorad Dodik knew they would reach an agreement, and allegedly argued.

“Who are they to negotiate about the IMF? Izetbegović says that Čović asked for 70% and he gave him 50%. What did he give him, did he give him his own? And they should not have been in the negotiations, but the state institutions. It is devastating that the parties agree to this,” said Nikšić. 

He adds that when looking at the countries in the region, they all adopted measures and laws within two to ten days. 

“Our government is specific. The Council of Ministers seems not to exist. The system is to blame, because we still do not have a Council of Ministers. In the Republika Srpska, five days after the state of emergency, they adopted a set of measures, in the Federation of BiH we have nothing,” notes the SDP leader.

As he says, the “Corona” law first hit pensioners, and then miners. 

“We have just proposed amendments aimed at improving the law so that it is realistic and enforceable. With these amendments, we want to protect workers and honest employers. We demand that employers seeking state aid publish their asset declarations. Let's share the burden a bit. Let employers also give up their privileges, who gave employers what they have,” emphasizes Nikšić. 

He points out that for days we have been hearing about a stable electricity sector, and that the virus did not attack the network but the citizens. 

On postponing local elections, Nikšić says: “It is possible to postpone the elections. Pass a law and solve it. But let's not discuss that now when we have to adopt measures. We will see about the elections when the time comes. Epidemiologists should make forecasts, no one is crazy enough to endanger the population by holding elections, we first need to solve the problems with the coronavirus.”: