TV Hayat warned Novalić and Džindić: Due to electricity price increase, we will shut down the program, lay off 160 people

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - TV Hayat announced tonight that it will be forced to cease broadcasting and lay off 160 of its employees starting January 1, 2022, if the enormous increase in electricity prices remains in effect. TV Hayat received an offer for 2022, requiring it to pay 68,000 KM per month instead of the previous 22,000 KM, which is a 312% increase. 

"We hereby inform the Government and the Prime Minister of the Federation, Minister Džindić, as well as the management of Elektroprivreda, that they have forced us to cease broadcasting and lay off 160 of our employees starting January 1, 2022," Hayat stated. 

Numerous businessmen have warned the FBiH Government, Prime Minister Fadil Novalić, and the relevant minister Nermin Džindić, who ignored the correspondence from JP Elektroprivreda BiH, whose director Admir Andelija proposed to the Government and the ministry back in early November to limit electricity prices. However, they turned a deaf ear, and in the meantime, numerous businessmen in FBiH have organized warning strikes and announced mass layoffs, as well as closing companies or relocating to RS if the government does not help in this case.

Only on Tuesday did the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament amend the Law on Electric Energy to give the FBiH Government the possibility to limit prices, but until the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament adopts the same amendment, it will not be able to take effect. The session of the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament has not yet been scheduled, and there are only five working days left until the end of the year. 

If businessmen start with mass layoffs, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will face a major crisis, even though many are still feeling the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.