SDP BiH demands that the FBiH Government withdraw the decision to tax meal allowances and holiday bonuses

The latest move by the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Ministry of Finance, who, without the knowledge and consent of the social partners, the Union of Independent Trade Unions and the Association of Employers of FBiH, adopted the Rulebook on the Application of the Income Tax Law, once again proves that their arrogance and disregard for citizens know no bounds.

By adopting this Rulebook, the ruling SDA-HDZ-SBB coalition, with its quasi-reforms, has not only directly attacked workers' incomes, but has done so illegally and contrary to the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In an attempt to fill the budget holes that it somehow keeps deepening, the federal government, embodied by Prime Minister Fadil Novalić and Minister Jelka Miličević and their handlers Bakir Izetbegović and Dragan Čović, has opted for the easiest and, of course, the worst possible solution – imposing new taxes and levies on the citizens of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From now on, workers whose employers pay them meal allowances and holiday bonuses will receive significantly less money because the SDA-HDZ-SBB have shown that they are, after all, united in one thing: taking from those they should be most concerned about.

In this way, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown consistency in breaking every given promise, including the one that the taxation of meal allowances would be accompanied by a reduction in contributions, so that such a measure would not lead to a reduction in workers' incomes. This move by the SDA, HDZ and SBB will ultimately lead to a reduction in citizens' spending, which could have extremely harmful consequences for the overall economy.

The Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina demands that the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately withdraw the illegal and harmful Rulebook for workers and finally start caring about employees in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by finding ways to increase, not decrease, workers' incomes. We know that, as far as Fadil Novalić and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina are concerned, a monthly salary of 406 KM is socially dangerous, but we call on them to show a shred of responsibility and social sensitivity. If they do not annul the aforementioned Rulebook, the SDP BiH will seek the adoption of conclusions at the next session of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina ordering the Government to do so. It is high time to stop the incompetent government's abuse of workers in the FBiH.