Even harder days ahead for Skenderija: Dragolj unlawfully dismissed, similar verdicts expected

KJKP Skenderija, once the mainstay of Sarajevo's business and sports scene, where numerous fairs and major indoor sports events were held, is in an increasingly difficult situation, writes the Patria news agency.

After workers went on strike last week due to unpaid wages and meal allowances, court rulings are now coming due, in which former employees of this company have sued Skenderija over unlawful salary reductions or irregular dismissals that occurred after Hajriz Bećirović took the helm of Skenderija.

The first non-final verdict was obtained by Džemal Dragolj, former director of the Youth Centre in Skenderija, which established that his dismissal was unlawful. Namely, in 2013, Bećirović handed him a dismissal notice under the pretext that he had not come to work, even though Dragolj was on sick leave and had duly submitted the relevant documentation.

- The plaintiff, due to temporary incapacity for work that occurred on 8 November 2013, had to go on sick leave (Saturday) starting Monday, 11 November 2013, about which he informed the defendant by phone on the same day – states the verdict.

The verdict further states that Dragolj's employment contract was unlawfully terminated, and Skenderija is obliged to reinstate his employment relationship from the date of termination, in the same tasks and duties he performed before the contract was terminated.

Skenderija officials said they would appeal this verdict, but the chances of it being overturned at the Cantonal Court are slim.

By this verdict, Skenderija is also obliged to pay Dragolj the amounts that were deducted from his salary in the period from 1 February 2011 to 1 November 2013.

- The defendant is ordered to pay the plaintiff compensation for due salaries as follows: for the period from 11 November 2013 to 30 November 2013, the amount of 1,017 KM with statutory interest starting from 1 December 2013 until payment, and for the said period to pay contributions for the plaintiff to the Federal Pension and Disability Insurance Institute in the amount of 339.18 KM – states the verdict.

Furthermore, Skenderija is obliged to pay the costs of the proceedings in the amount of 2,540 KM. Otherwise, as we learn, about ten such lawsuits are pending at the Sarajevo Municipal Court, and Skenderija will not be able to pay all of them, because for years employees' salaries were unlawfully reduced, leading them to eventually sue Skenderija.