What the new Labour Law in FBiH brings: Protects workers' health, pregnant women, and you will be able to work from home

The FBiH Government adopted the Draft of the new Labour Law today, which could soon come into effect in FBiH, and which was one of the conditions for BiH's entry into the EU, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

The trade union is outraged by the new Labour Law, believing it to be a slave-owning law that will return the Federation to the Middle Ages, calling the federal government treacherous, and announcing protests in front of the FBiH Parliament due to the new Labour Law.

The FBiH Government denies these claims by the trade unionists. For the Government, the new Law brings changes that will ensure a better position for workers, but also make things easier for employers. Finally, the Government claims, the entire law is harmonized with the labour laws of developed EU countries, so they do not understand why the trade union has raised so much fuss about the new Labour Law in FBiH.

- Unlike neighbouring countries, the new Labour Law in FBiH does not provide for fixed-term employment contracts as an exception and does not prioritize concluding indefinite-term employment contracts. The Law only limits the duration of fixed-term contracts and establishes conditions under which such a contract becomes, "grows into" an indefinite-term employment contract. The written form of the contract and its mandatory content are prescribed - the Government states, answering the question about the collective agreement, which trade unionists claim will be completely disregarded by the new Labour Law.

The Government states that the new Law has introduced measures to encourage the improvement of occupational safety and health for employed pregnant women, mothers, and nursing mothers.

The new Labour Law, the Government further claims, will significantly improve the prevention and protection of workers from all forms of discrimination. The new law, the explanation further states, even addresses those who are looking for a job, so one part of the law also talks about their protection from discrimination.

- A ban on direct and indirect discrimination regarding employment conditions, working conditions and rights from employment, education and training, and termination of employment contracts has been established - the Government claims.

According to the new Labour Law, the minimum age for employment is also prescribed, conditions for the employment of minors are established, and the obligation to obtain a medical certificate proving general health fitness for work and the consent of a legal representative is required.

The new Labour Law in FBiH provides for the possibility of performing work outside the employer's premises, i.e., at the worker's home or in another space provided by the worker, the Government states, as reported by Patria.