New shock therapy: FBiH Government starts improvisations on the backs of workers and traders in 2026, who lobbied for working January 2nd

By: Amina Čorbo-Zećo

The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entered the New Year 2026 as it entered 2025, with much uncertainty, improvisation, and moves presented to citizens and businesses as care for workers, but which in practice cause chaos. Last year, it was the decision on a minimum wage of 1,000 KM, imposed without real preparation and a clear strategy, which Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić would later try to justify with the term "shock therapy".

A year later, a new shock, this time felt most by traders and retail workers, whom the FBiH Government supposedly cared about the most by abolishing the working Sunday.

First, a decision was made that January 1st and 2nd would be non-working days, which was welcomed as a civilizational step forward and respect for workers' rights. However, just a few days later, the FBiH Government abruptly changed its stance and decided that retail outlets could indeed work on January 2nd. The notice arrived too late, at a time when many had already planned their holidays, trips, or even left the country. According to Patria's findings, the entire affair was lobbied for by a domestic retail chain, which further casts doubt on the motives and the decision-making process.

The Government's formal justification of "timely supply of the population and preservation of the continuity of goods supply" can hardly hide the essence of the problem.

Simply put, the FBiH Government too often, to put it colloquially, doesn't know where it's going. Or, even worse, it only goes where the HDZ paves the way.

The decision ordering retail outlets to operate on a non-working day is nothing more than another confirmation of the incompetence, ignorance, and arrogance of authorities who declaratively pledge to protect workers while simultaneously trampling on their rights in practice.

The Government had both the legal possibility and the obligation to make such a decision earlier, in accordance with the Law on Internal Trade. If there had been serious planning, the decision could have been made in the fall. Instead, we are witnessing panicked and spontaneous reactions at the last minute, which harm everyone, both workers and employers.

Imagine a worker who booked a trip on Monday and discovered on Wednesday that Friday is a working day!

Employers haven't fared any better. How to organize the work of shopping centers for a single day that has been a non-working day for years? How to ensure shifts, security, logistics, and goods when employees are already abroad or traveling? This is not economic policy; it is pure improvisation.

The issue of legal certainty is also particularly problematic. Decisions of the FBiH Government cannot bind anyone before they are published in the Official Gazette, as pointed out by federal MP Jasmina Tokić Biščević.

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Nevertheless, despite everything, the FBiH Government delivers "shock therapies" to citizens and businesses year after year. The only difference is who is targeted this time.