MEETING NEXT WEEK Employers' Association in FBiH expects further convergence of views with the Government and trade unions

(Patria) - The representative Employers' Association in FBiH, following the adoption of the FBiH Government's Decision on the minimum wage and ahead of the announcement of government measures to mitigate the effects of the Decision on the operations of businessmen and craftsmen in FBiH, has been working for days on assessing the possible consequences of such a decision, and on this occasion we also call on and request from social partners to show maximum mutual understanding and respect in their adoption and future implementation, it is stated in a press release issued on Friday.

"Social partners, the FBiH Government, employers and trade unions, in recent days through their statements, exchange of letters, initiatives and expert opinions, are bringing their positions closer and thus confirming awareness and understanding of the need to increase wages and the standard of workers, with the expected contribution and distribution of the burden also by the authorities. They also pointed out that these are important and historic measures and that, regardless of the seemingly different positions and interests of the social partners regarding the adoption of such a Decision, we are all ready to use the days ahead for additional expert discussions and the adoption of responsible, as harmonised and well-thought-out moves as possible.

Businessmen and craftsmen across FBiH, through their gatherings and addresses, have expressed serious concern for the preservation of their businesses, companies and retaining workers, while trade unions point to the difficult position of around 377,000 workers in the real sector, and the authorities are obliged to take care of the sustainability of the budget.

We expect that the announced accompanying measures and activities of the FBiH Government will be concrete and substantive in a way that takes into account the proposals of the business community, reduces burdens, primarily contributions, taxes, but also other obligations that hinder business in FBiH and its faster development, and that the discussion will continue at the Economic and Social Council of FBiH scheduled for Monday. This would fulfil the previously announced reforms on relieving the cost of labour and business in FBiH.

The time ahead will certainly be sensitive for the economy and the overall life of citizens in BiH. We have the task of preserving capacities through a package of measures and putting them in the function of development, preventing inflation and improving the lives of the population in BiH, while entering an additionally challenging period of European integration, maintaining presence in the EU and other markets and expected business adjustments in the context of digitalisation, CBAM and other challenges, in which we are very late.

From the recent public statements of representatives of the social partners, it is clear that mutual understanding is maturing that each of the partners will do their utmost to reach final and, we hope, as close as possible common positions. These processes have no alternative and employers insist on dialogue. For a long time, no decision or regulation has caused such a division of opinion as this current one, but we believe that this can also be an opportunity for additional mutual networking, harmonisation of priorities and sharing of responsibility for the well-being of workers and all of us in FBiH", the statement said.