FIRST BREAK Most will support limiting officials' salary growth, Begić warns about the House of Peoples, where everything usually fails

(Patria) - At today's session of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliament, the Proposed Law on Amendments to the Law on Salaries and Benefits in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed by the BiH Presidency, is on the agenda, with a request for the Proposed Law to be considered under an urgent procedure.

The mentioned proposal requests that a new Article 7c be added to the Law on Salaries and Benefits in the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which states that, exceptionally from Article 7 of this law, the salaries and benefits of appointed and elected officials in BiH institutions with a coefficient above 8.0 will be calculated using a base of 535 KM.

With these amendments, the salaries of appointed and elected officials in BiH institutions would remain at their current level, regardless of the increase in the base amount to 600 KM for employees in BiH institutions, which the Council of Ministers of BiH adopted in order to improve the material situation of employees due to the general trend of rising prices. 

During the discussion, most representatives stated that they would support this proposal from the members of the BiH Presidency. Sabina Čudić (NS) said that the NS-KFBI Club will not support the Budget if the proposed law is not adopted under an urgent procedure. Jasmin Emirć (NES) also expressed support for the proposal.

Mia Abazović (NIP) praised the fact that the proposal from the Presidency was unanimous, and that she will support both the procedure and the law.

Zlatan Vegić (DF) also spoke about a proposal from a previous term, which is still active, and which also resolves this issue.

“I hope this passes today. We have done half the job today, but I hope it doesn't pass today and then fail in the House of Peoples. It must be said that we have not finished the job,” said Begić.

“I just wanted to say that there are already laws in procedure that prevent salary increases for elected officials, but we don't have further information on whether the House of Peoples supported it,” stated Begić, adding that this is a test for everyone as people and that everyone should support both the procedure and the law.

Darko Babalj (SDS) expressed admiration for the members of the BiH Presidency who proposed this law.

“The responsibility that Bećirović, Cvijanović, and Komšić have is the main news. But I am also aware today of the intolerance between politicians who instilled fear in citizens. I would like to express my admiration and respect, it is a great thing for BiH. My club will also support this,” stated Babalj.