Saleswoman Writes to FBiH Authorities and the Public: What Can You Not Do Without for Two Days, Dear Government, Stop Fighting For Us!

(Patria) - "What can you not live without for two days, dear government?", a saleswoman from Čapljina asked in a letter to the public and the Government of the Federation of BiH regarding the decision that the non-working day, January 2nd, will actually be a working day in service activities such as trade.

"Christmas, New Year, Labour Day…. What are these, what do they look like? Are these days for family, friends, socializing? For some they are, I see in the newspapers, on television… What is Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve? Socializing, getting ready, traveling to the celebration? What are the dawn masses? Maybe our government knows because I, like everyone in this business, do not know", states the saleswoman in the letter published by Bljesak.info.

The saleswoman apologizes to customers for not working full hours on Christmas Eve, reminding them that when they get home after work, they can't feel parts of their bodies.

We work on Christmas Eve from morning until 6 PM. We apologize, dear customers, for not being open until 9 PM, if you need anything else. We come home, we can't feel any part of our bodies. We eat dinner nervously with the family we haven't seen all week because we work overtime. Cookies are being made, and eyes are closing. Some of us don't have adult daughters to help us. We have children who are on holiday, but without their mother.

We are at the end of our strength on New Year's Eve, but we are still here for you. Our eyes are tired and sad, but the smile is there, for which we are paid extra minimum wage. We dream of 6 PM, a warm home, and a shower. Some in festive dresses, some in pajamas. But two free days… Two days with family. And then a cold shower, a belated congratulation from our government… Many non-working days, the need for people to buy groceries! - the letter states.

The saleswoman points out that they are belittled even though their hands are working hard stocking shelves in stores so that customers can buy products.

No product bought on New Year's Eve can spoil. In the comments, they belittle us… Dear customers, when you enter the store, from the bread shelves to everything else, these are our hands that have arranged them for you. Not all of us have stockers to help us. It's not a problem for us to carry a 25kg bag of flour or crates of beer to your car. We are paid for that, aren't we? And with what minimum wage!

Next year, let January 1st also be a working day! When the teams are returning from the New Year's Eve celebrations, let them buy fresh groceries! Happy New Year, dear government, and please, stop fighting for us traders, we don't need you. And to you, dear customers, all the best, from the comments on the portals, we see how much you value us. And we will continue to wait for you with a smile, as that counts towards our work experience.

She stated that she is not a saleswoman by choice because she graduated from high school and economics but is not suitable nor a member of a political party. As she says, she used to celebrate New Year's holidays and now toasts with ibuprofen in warm pajamas.

And let me refute one commenter who said we chose this ourselves. I did not. I am a saleswoman, and I graduated from high school and economics… But I am not suitable nor a party member, so I accidentally became a saleswoman, who works every day except Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's, it used to be celebrated, and now I toast with ibuprofen in warm pajamas. Happy New Year, dear government, and everyone go shopping on January 2nd. We will practice our smiles! - wrote the saleswoman from Čapljina in her letter in reaction to the decision of the Government of the Federation of BiH that this activity will indeed be a working day and not a holiday on January 2nd.

The Trade and Services Workers' Union of BiH also sent a letter to the federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić and the federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević, conveying the "outrage and disappointment of male and female workers in trade after yesterday, and some of them even last night just before the end of working hours, were informed by their company managements that according to the Decision of the Government of FBiH, January 2nd will be a working day for them and not a holiday."