Canton Sarajevo Government to Consider Demands of the Union of Primary Education on Thursday, Today's Negotiations Unsuccessful

(Patria) - Regarding the warning strike of workers in preschool and primary education institutions, the Ministry of Education of Sarajevo Canton once again informs employees in the field of education, as well as the public, that the Government of Sarajevo Canton is the only relevant body to adequately respond to the demands submitted to the relevant ministry and presented to the public.

They also reiterate that the entire negotiation process regarding the Collective Agreement for preschool and primary education activities in Sarajevo Canton was led by the Government of Sarajevo Canton and the Independent Union of Primary Education of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Cantonal Committee of the Union of Primary Education of Sarajevo Canton, through appointed negotiation teams.

„In this regard, we will delegate the demands for consideration by the Government at its session on Thursday,“ the Ministry of Education of Sarajevo Canton stated.

They also emphasized that they sincerely regret the need to organize a warning strike, as well as the fact that the previous two months were spent without genuine social dialogue.

„We are confident that the Government of Sarajevo Canton will show understanding for all justified demands of employees in the field of education, as it has consistently demonstrated over the past three years of its mandate, guided by its commitment to raising the standard of workers in education at all levels,“ the relevant ministry points out.

The union held a two-hour strike today, and it will also be held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The head of the Union in Sarajevo Canton, Saudin Sivro, stated that they have 12 demands from which they will not back down.

"The negotiation teams of the Government and the Union continued negotiations on the Collective Agreement on amendments and supplements to the Collective Agreement for preschool and primary education activities in Sarajevo Canton on January 29, 2024, in a changed atmosphere. The Government's negotiation team presented an unclear proposal regarding an increase in worker coefficients from March 1, 2024, and an additional increase of 2% starting from January 1, 2025, which was justified by the fact that it had not been consulted at a session of the Government of Sarajevo Canton.


The Union's negotiation team maintained its position that the Union will not agree to a deal on salary increases without the Ministry and the Government of Sarajevo Canton committing to fulfilling all 12 union demands, particularly regarding reforms and reducing the burden on students and education workers.


The Government's negotiation team proposed that negotiations continue on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. We emphasize that none of the 12 demands defined by the Decision on the organization and implementation of the warning strike of January 16, 2024, have been fulfilled.  The implementation of the warning strike continues according to the decisions of the Union bodies and the instructions previously received by union representatives," the Union states.