Employers to strike over electricity price hikes of up to 200%, demand reaction from Novalić and Džindić

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A meeting of representatives of 13 companies, which are among the largest electricity consumers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held on Thursday. The meeting was organized by the Association of Employers of FBiH, and was attended by representatives of ArcelorMittal, Violeta, Konzum, Mercator, AS Group, Sisecam Soda Lukavac, TMD Group Gradačac, Pobjeda Tešanj, Tvornica cementa Kakanj, Feal Široki Brijeg, ASA Prevent Group, Bingo, and EMKA Goražde.

It was concluded at the meeting that an increase in electricity prices for the economy by more than 10 percent is completely unacceptable. Namely, in the past three months, electricity companies in FBiH have offered their customers, business entities, new contracts in which the price of electricity is 150 to 200 percent higher than the current one.

It was emphasized that any increase in electricity prices by more than 10 percent for business entities would lead to the partial or complete shutdown of operations in companies, a decrease in exports, and a drop in investments. This would lead to the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in the economy of FBiH, as well as a reduction in wages. Furthermore, it would lead to an increase in inflation by two to three percent, all of which together leads to a significant decrease in the standard of living of citizens.

Citizens should be aware that the fact that electricity prices for households have not increased for the last 11 years does not protect the standard of living of citizens. On the contrary, an increase in electricity prices for the economy leads to an increase in the prices of goods and services that only citizens pay for. If it wants to protect the standard of living of citizens, the Government of FBiH must not allow excessive increases in electricity prices for business entities.

Given that the majority of companies will not be able to bear the excessive increase in electricity prices, it was agreed at the meeting to send a petition to the Government of FBiH demanding that the increase in electricity prices for the economy must not exceed 10 percent. It was agreed that a half-hour warning strike would be organized in the plants of companies in FBiH.

An urgent meeting with the Prime Minister of FBiH, Fadil Novalić, and the Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry, Nermin Džindić, was also requested.