Establish criminal responsibility for illegally imposing taxes on businesses and workers

After the Government and Parliament of the FBiH refused to annul the decision on taxing meal allowances and holiday bonuses, as demanded by unions, employers, the foreign investors' council, and the opposition, such a decision, based on two laws declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of the FBiH, has entered into force, the SDP announced, Patria reports.

-       No one has the right to impose any illegal and unconstitutional financial obligations on companies and citizens, not even the FBiH Government. With this move, the FBiH Government has shown its anti-reform character and extreme disregard for workers, reducing their incomes and thus directly impoverishing them. This is completely contrary to the reform agenda, which clearly states that this taxation will only begin to apply after a reduction in contribution rates, so as not to reduce workers' incomes.

There is no reduction in contributions, and it is evident that the FBiH Government is only trying to fill budget gaps, with no interest in the price that citizens and the economy will pay for it.  This is a government that will be remembered for illegally forcing some to pay, while illegally exempting others from that obligation – the SDP says.

Because of this policy of the FBiH Government, SDP MPs and delegates will no longer vote for any proposal coming from a government that is clearly acting against the interests of citizens.

Furthermore, the SDP will use all legal mechanisms to have the decision on the tax on meal allowances and holiday bonuses annulled. At the same time, we will file a criminal complaint against those responsible in the Government for making a decision based on laws that have been declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, thereby causing damage to employers and workers.

- The SDP calls on employers, unlike the Government, to show understanding and not punish workers, not to reduce their rights due to an illegal government decision, and ultimately to seek compensation for damages from the Federation Government that such a decision will cause them – the statement further reads.