Transport Organizations of BiH and Serbia: If there is no solution by January 15, more rigorous measures will follow

(Patria) - Representatives of leading transport organizations in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina jointly called on domestic authorities and European Union institutions today to finally resolve the alarming situation caused by European Union rules on driver stays, which they say complicates business conditions and threatens the survival of carriers in the region. If this problem is not resolved by January 15, they announce radical measures.

Professional truck drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina have long had problems driving in the European Union because, according to the law, they cannot stay in EU countries for more than 90 days in 180 days. For carriers, this rule brings numerous financial losses, as well as other problems.

President of the business association "International Transport" from Belgrade, Neđo Mandić: "For a company to be able to operate, it must have a driver. If it doesn't have a driver working more than 15 days a month, it cannot exist. If there were drivers on the market, we would find double the number, but now that there are no drivers and we can barely keep the ones we have, there are not enough drivers to cover the trucks".

For about 500 carriers in BiH, this issue requires a priority solution. As they point out, they have repeatedly contacted the authorities, but without effect.

"The stay of drivers in Europe is a problem for the economy, for businesses, a problem for all companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Thousands of vehicles leave BiH every day, and all these drivers are endangered, and their days are being counted," says Zijad Šarić from the Consortium "Logistika" BiH.

If the authorities do not take any action by January 15, carriers announce radical measures.

"We expect results by January 15. If not, by then we must take measures that will be joint at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. We appeal to the European Commission, we appeal to our governments, which we hope will finally do something and realize that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have a common problem," Šarić states.

Carriers estimate that if the problem is not resolved, a collapse is expected by April of next year.