Healthcare Workers' Union in Sarajevo Canton announces gathering in front of the Government of Sarajevo Canton on May 23, salary of the director of the Sarajevo Canton Health Insurance Fund to be increased by 1,000 BAM

(Patria) - The Main Board of the Healthcare Workers' Union in Sarajevo Canton has adopted a Decision on organizing and holding a peaceful gathering/protest in front of the building of the Government of Sarajevo Canton on May 23, 2024, from 12:00 to 14:00 hours.

The reason, among other things, is the decision of the Government of Sarajevo Canton to give consent for a salary increase of up to 30% of the base salary for the director of the Health Insurance Fund of Sarajevo Canton. The current salary of director Muamer Kosovac, according to the register of appointed persons of Sarajevo Canton, amounts to 3,544 BAM. With this increase, his salary will be raised by an additional 1,000 BAM.

The Government has not responded to the letters of the Healthcare Workers' Union in Sarajevo Canton regarding the request for payment of one-time assistance to all workers in public health institutions in accordance with the Decree on payment of assistance by the employer.

"This same government refused to give consent for the payment of one-time financial assistance to workers employed in a certain number of institutions whose directors addressed the Government of Sarajevo Canton to grant it, thereby preventing public health institutions from paying assistance to workers in accordance with their financial capabilities. In contrast, the Government of Sarajevo Canton had no objection to adopting a decision and giving consent for a salary increase for the director of the Health Insurance Fund of Sarajevo Canton, whose salary, even without the given increase, is far higher than the salary of workers employed in public health institutions in Sarajevo Canton," they wrote from the Union.

Such conduct by the Government of Sarajevo Canton and such an attitude towards healthcare workers has caused dissatisfaction among our membership and the organization of a peaceful gathering – protest, they said.