Zečević: Strike is obviously inevitable, enrollments will be suspended indefinitely

Berko Zečević, president of the University of Sarajevo Trade Union, is disappointed with the attitude of the KS Government towards professors, as well as students who will suffer due to the irresponsibility of Muhamed Kozadra, acting PM of KS, who is unable to even receive representatives of the University of Sarajevo for a meeting.

The problems faced by the university staff of the University of Sarajevo include, among others, economic insecurity, irregular salary payments, the inability to hire young staff, and salaries that are not equal to the salaries of other budget users.

- I am appalled by the fact that most of these people from the KS Government graduated from this university and have no respect for it. That is what fascinates me, this feeling that one should trample on everything one has acquired. That is worrying. Now they are buying time before the elections. But we will not settle for anything less than what we are asking for – says Zečević.

The professor emphasizes that currently the Municipal Court in Sarajevo is also working in favor of the Government, but he hopes that next week, after the Bayram holidays, they will have a decision on the arbitrator appointed for negotiations, but for which the KS Government is not interested.

- Unfortunately, as things stand, students will only have exams from September 1 to 8, and then work will be suspended. Student services will be closed, enrollments will cease. But, the moment the conditions are met and the strike is suspended, we will make up for everything for the students – says Zečević.

He added that the professors and employees at the University are at the end of their strength and can no longer perform their duties with honor, due to a series of problems burdening the academic community.

- We can't anymore. No one can expect our families not to be able to live, that we cannot repay loans. Young assistants are barely surviving because they need 20,000 KM if they want to get a doctorate and remain employed, and paradoxically, such a law was passed without any knowledge of the academic community, because the rectorate is not the academic community, it consists of all professors – added Zečević.

Finally, the professor states that they are not asking for a salary increase and believe it is fair for everyone to have the same.

- Some received their salary on the 14th, and will now receive it again on the 25th, and it was the same last month. That's how canton workers were paid. So, where is the logic and justice in that – added Zečević.