Independent Trade Union of Forestry: Measures must be urgently adopted to prevent mass layoffs

(Patria) - The Independent Trade Union of Forestry, Wood Processing and Paper of BiH has sent an open letter to the Government of the Federation of BiH, cantonal governments and the Employers' Association with a demand for URGENT adoption of adequate measures to prevent mass layoffs of workers in the Federation of BiH. The set of economic measures must include tax relief for a certain period, subsidies, and a moratorium on certain payments, as well as protection of jobs and workers' incomes.

"After these fifteen days during which the citizens of the Federation of BiH have been intensely fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we are entering a period of mass termination of employment contracts, and we still do not have serious economic measures. Due to the suspension of exports and the reduction of production volume in wood processing, furniture production, and paper production, economic entities in these activities, as well as forestry and economic companies in the Federation of BiH, are in crisis.

The Independent Trade Union of Forestry, Wood Processing and Paper of BiH monitors the situation in the workplaces. We receive a large number of calls daily from trade union representatives and workers in these sectors where employers announce termination of employment contracts. In addition to fear for their lives and health, workers in the Federation of BiH fear for their own existence and the existence of their families.

The Employers' Association of FBiH is asking the Government of the Federation of BiH to adopt measures and provide support to employers, while at the same time announcing mass layoffs. Some employers have started implementing these announcements at the end of last week without consulting the trade union ("Standard F.F."). In this way, employers are causing additional unrest and exerting terrible pressure on workers and citizens. Workers are in fear, as many of them are the sole breadwinners for their families. The wages, with which they have supported themselves and their families so far, were barely enough for basic needs, and if they lose their jobs, they will not be able to cover even basic living needs with unemployment benefits, which vary by canton (and are often insufficient), especially since it is not possible to think about the soon resumption of production with certainty.

We appeal to the Government of the Federation of BiH and cantonal governments to URGENTLY, together with social partners, proceed with the adoption of concrete and fair measures that will facilitate things for everyone. Cantonal governments should follow the measures of the Government of the Federation of BiH and, based on them, proceed with adopting their own measures. The measures should help employers maintain employment, jobs, and ensure workers' incomes, thereby helping workers to preserve their income and secure a life worthy of a human being.

We demand that one of the measures be that only employers who retain their workers can use the facilities and certain funds, and we request that the number of employees with the employer as of March 12, 2020, proven by data from the Tax Administration, be used as a relevant indicator for this.

We call on the Employers' Association of the Federation of BiH to issue instructions to its members to act in accordance with the laws, and we call on all employers not to panic and not to lay off workers, and we appeal to them to open a dialogue with worker representatives in the workplaces. Trade unions will, as always, be a responsible and constructive partner in this process, which has proven to be the best way to preserve jobs and workers' incomes.

We point out to the Government of the Federation of BiH, cantonal governments, and employers that, regardless of how difficult the situation is and how evident the crisis is, we must respect the Labor Law and other laws, as well as the regulations and collective agreements based on them. We must not allow hasty decisions and measures contrary to laws and collective agreements to open new crises through workers' lawsuits. We demand from all actors to show social sensitivity and not allow the capital of individuals to be protected; WE MUST PROTECT WORKERS, CITIZENS!!, they state.