Sivro: KS Government Refuses Social Dialogue, We Will Reward Such Conduct at the Polls on Sunday

(Patria) - A press conference of representatives of seven employee unions receiving salaries from the KS Budget was held in Sarajevo today, where they presented two demands to the KS Government: a salary increase and the payment of a one-time bonus in accordance with the FB&H Government's Decree. The KS Government is composed of personnel from NIP, Our Party, SDP, and ZNG.

Saudin Sivro, President of the Union of Employees in Preschool Education and Primary Education and Training in the Sarajevo Canton, called on the KS Government to sit down with union representatives and initiate social dialogue.

"It is time to negotiate the base salary for next year, which applies to 16,500 employees. We are not sure of the exact number of employees, because the KS Government hires new employees at every session, provides jobs, and existing employees are dissatisfied," says Sivro.

He adds that these seven unions represent a total of 25,000 employees, including those receiving salaries from the KS budget and those receiving salaries from the Sarajevo Canton Health Insurance Fund and Sarajevo Canton communal economy.

"Our two main demands are a salary increase, not only for employees receiving salaries through the budget, but also for those working in healthcare and communal economy. That is the first and primary reason that brought us together. The second is our effort to enter into negotiations with the KS Government for the payment of a one-time bonus to all employees in KS in the same amount. We will reward the KS Government's conduct on Sunday when we go to the polls, sending a clear message that this will happen," emphasizes Sivro.

Elvis Zornić, President of the Independent Union of Civil Servants and Employees of KS, also addressed the attendees.

"We, each of the seven unions individually, have approached the KS Government regarding the one-time bonus. The KS Government has not responded to date, and we consider this unacceptable for any dialogue. It is unacceptable for us as employees not to want to talk with individuals from the KS Government through the media, but at the table," he said.

He reminded that energy prices are rising, which will nullify everything agreed upon in the collective agreement.

"The base salary should be 425 KM, which is the current amount at the federal level," he stated.

It was highlighted that a decision on a strike has not yet been made, but they emphasize that all options are on the table, such as strikes, protests, and setting up a tent settlement in front of the KS Government building.

Admir Šuvalić, President of the Cantonal Board of the Independent Union of Secondary and Higher Education, Education, Science, and Culture, said that they are concerned about the administrative silence.

"We sent an inquiry in a polite and procedural manner to discuss with the authorities as prescribed by laws and collective agreements to agree on the base salary for next year, but they ignored us. It is concerning that we see on portals how all ministers have put themselves in the service of the election campaign for their parties, which is not part of their job description and what they are paid for, but they have not deigned to respond to us. This is disrespect for the social partner," said Šuvalić.

Senad Sadiković, President of the KS Healthcare Workers' Union, said that the Government must improve social dialogue.

"The Government must improve social dialogue, respond to our questions, and not allow us to seek our rights on the street. What healthcare achieved through mass protests, a group of 25,000 can easily follow in the same direction. We barely got those 10 miserable percent from this government and the Health Insurance Fund, despite sufficient funds... We should not allow tent settlements in front of the Government," said Sadiković.

Rasim Ljučević, President of the Independent Union of Communal Economy Workers, said they will seek higher wages and spoke about the difficult situation in which the workers find themselves.

"We agree with all the demands that the coordination requires and will require in the future. Thus, 3,500 communal workers will seek a wage increase. I must also say that I sent a request for the payment of a one-time bonus a month ago, but we never received a response. This is a constant practice. We have to organize press conferences and protests to get them to talk to us. Communal workers perform the most difficult jobs," emphasized Ljučević.