FBiH Government Adopts New Labor Law, Union Announces Protests

The Union of Independent Trade Unions of BiH strongly condemned the adoption of the new Labor Law, which the Government of the Federation of BiH adopted today at a session in Mostar, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

In a protest letter to the media, trade unionists state that it has become completely clear that Prime Minister Fadil Novalić does not want, will not, dare not, or simply does not know how to conduct social dialogue, nor does he understand what negotiating means, so he has taken it upon himself to arbitrarily create the text of one of the most important laws, while also misinforming the public with inaccurate information and making sweeping statements.

- To claim that the new labor law offers solutions that will drastically improve workers' rights compared to the current Labor Law of FBiH is an insult to the intelligence of every male and female worker in FBiH, as well as the citizenry as a whole – stated the Union of Independent Trade Unions of BiH.

- How else can one explain it when someone who is the head of the executive branch in FBiH, and therefore the most responsible person for the economic situation, claims that derogating workers' rights, making it easier for employers to dismiss workers, reducing severance pay amounts, the cessation of collective agreements which almost entirely regulate the scope of rights related to workers' existence, etc., actually means improving the position of workers and prosperity for all employed, as well as those who are not yet employed – the statement further reads.

The Union of Independent Trade Unions of BiH states that the new Labor Law brings nothing better for workers, but at the same time gives employers and capital owners free rein to act arbitrarily, exploit workers, and multiply their wealth.

The Union of Independent Trade Unions of BiH states that they will not give up on their demands, will not agree to a reduction in workers' rights, and will not participate in any perverse discussions or negotiations where worker representatives are not equal partners and where the aim is to turn workers into slaves and return BiH, or FBiH, to the era of slavery.

The Union has announced protests in front of the Parliament of FBiH.