PETITION SIGNED Small business owners ready for protests: Reduce our contributions

(Patria) - Owners of small businesses in the Federation of BiH might send a petition to federal authorities concerning the minimum wage and contributions this year, and they do not rule out the possibility of protests if their demands are not met.

This can be concluded from the discussion taking place in the largest domestic Facebook group that gathers this type of entrepreneur – “Glas malih biznisa” (Voice of Small Businesses), reports Slobodna Bosna.

As stated in the group, signatures are being collected (petition) which, along with demands, should be sent to the FBiH Parliament and the ruling majority.

Their stance is that they agree that employees must have a dignified life and that a minimum wage of 1000 KM is not a problem if contributions are reduced and the negative impact on already planned costs for 2025 is mitigated.

Aid for Craftsmen

"In case the minimum wage remains 1000 KM, we demand the adoption of a decision regulating salary payments:

1. PERSONAL DEDUCTION - Increase the personal deduction in accordance with the minimum wage. This item has not changed since the minimum wage was 360 KM, so we are asking for the personal deduction to be increased in accordance with the percentage increase of the minimum wage from 360 KM to 1000 KM, i.e., to a minimum of 800 KM.

2. FIRST EMPLOYMENT, INTERNSHIP, AND STUDENT WORK - For first employment, exemption from all salary contributions for a minimum of 3 years. The same applies to internships and practical work for students.

3. INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYING YOUTH – individuals up to 25 years of age are exempt from all salary contributions, and individuals from 26 to 30 years of age, partially – (50% of all taxes and contributions)

4. INCENTIVE FOR EMPLOYING OLDER PERSONS – All individuals over 55 years of age who are unemployed (registered with the employment office) are partially exempt from all salary contributions (50% of all taxes and contributions)

5. DEDUCTION FOR CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS - for the 1st child, a monthly deduction of 500 KM, for the 2nd child 750 KM, for the 3rd child 1200 KM, for the 4th child 1500 KM, etc. For dependent family members and ex-spouses for whom alimony is paid, a deduction of 600 KM, and a personal deduction for disability from 350 KM to 1200 KM, depending on the degree of disability.

6. NON-TAXABLE INCOME: meal allowance 20 KM/day, transportation 100 KM, work performance bonus up to 2000 KM, severance pay for retirement up to 3000 KM, scholarships for pupils and students up to 500 KM/month, and separation allowance up to 600 KM. Aid to employees for 2025 up to 6000 KM for companies that can and want to pay it (possibility of payment in 12 installments of 500 KM)

7. AID FOR CRAFTSMEN, NEW AND SMALL BUSINESSES: The minimum wage can be reduced for businesses that had a loss in 2024, whose operating profit is less than 10%, and for newly established businesses", stated in the initial form of agreement on this group.

As reasons for the claim that the FBiH budget has not been adopted, until its adoption, the FBiH Government will not be able to pay any subsidies because temporary financing does not allow it, such information is disseminated solely with the intention of deceiving workers and company owners.

"In this regard, it is necessary to urgently adopt new measures so that everyone can prepare for the payment of January salaries," it was stated in the group.

Lock and Key

Some members of this group had announced dismissals, and some were inquiring about the procedures for closing companies.

"Dear friends, I was the owner of a craft business, an old traditional craft, with one employee, but after these government decisions, due to the unprofitability of the business, I am forced to submit a request to cease operations at the municipality... all contributions for the employee have been paid up to December 31, 2024," is one of the statuses in this group.

However, they are now trying to organize themselves to demand that the Government fulfill their requests.

Let us remind you that the government increased the minimum wage without any tax relief. Certain subsidies for small companies were announced, but they will not be able to be paid immediately either because the FBiH budget has not been adopted.