Independent Trade Union of BHRT Workers Appeals to Schmidt: Save the Grey House from Sinking

(Patria) - The Independent Trade Union of Workers at BHRT has sent a letter to High Representative Christian Schmidt, warning of the years-long agony of survival, irregular financing, and illegal distribution of the RTV fee, which has brought the public broadcaster to the brink of collapse.

The letter emphasizes that the situation is worsening year after year, while the founder of BiH's Public Service - the Parliamentary Assembly (PA) BiH - is not taking concrete steps to resolve the problem.

"Kudos to some individuals from the PA BiH Committee for Transport and Communications, but the majority do not care at all whether we will exist or not," stated the Trade Union.

The Trade Union reminds that the existence of a public service is not just one of the 14 priorities on the European path, but also a civilizational obligation of every state and a particularly significant legacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"BiH's Public Service, the legal successor of RTV Sarajevo, existed during the most difficult moments of the war from 1992 to 1995. It must not be allowed that in peacetime, those responsible say there is no solution or political will," the Trade Union warns.

The Independent Trade Union represents about 400 members, out of a total of 780 employees at BHRT. They say their previous appeals to parliamentarians have been ignored, and they are now asking the High Representative for urgent intervention.

The Trade Union calls on Schmidt to use his authority and ensure "at least a one-time, short-term solution" that would pull BHRT out of its current financial blockade.

"We know that domestic parliamentarians are responsible for the functioning of the public service, but they (SNSD and HDZ BiH) do not want to resolve this issue. Their representatives openly refuse to support anything with a common BiH designation, including seven cultural institutions. They are knowingly violating laws and should be sanctioned for it," the Trade Union states.

In the letter, they also warn about the institutional blockade in which BHRT has been operating for months.

"We are still waiting for a session of the House of Peoples of the PA BiH to confirm the new BHRT Supervisory Board, which then needs to elect a new director. Since June, this Supervisory Board has been operating illegally, as an acting body. Someone should be held accountable for this dragging on and blocking," they warn.

They particularly emphasize the difficult situation of BHRT employees: "Sixty percent of the workers receive the minimum wage of 1,000 KM, and we are not even sure if it will be paid."

Due to all of the above, the Trade Union asks the High Representative to get involved in resolving the problem and prevent the "sinking of the Grey House" and the existential collapse of 780 employees and their families.

They also requested that Schmidt inform the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) about this appeal.