Unemployment, political and personal insecurity, poverty, unregulated education, and health systems are the reasons for the growing departure of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). According to estimates by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of BiH, 350.000 people could leave the country this year alone. Citizens have long since stopped believing in systemic changes.
The worsening economic situation forced Rusmir to decide to leave BiH and start a new life in Slovenia, because, as he mentioned, he has not seen a future in this country for a long time. In Slovenia, he applied for a job in the tourism and hospitality sector.
“I’ve been unemployed for a long time, I’ve done something before. They often interrupt our engagements, so I saw this as a positive opportunity to continue working in Slovenia.”
Last year alone, 170.000 people left BiH. In the past ten years, that number is about half a million. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions estimates that 350.000 people could leave BiH this year. As they said, the fact that highly qualified people with more than 15 years of work experience, as well as families with children, are leaving is worrying.
“For the first time, we have now seen an increase in the departure of people with stable salaries, who have worked in some, say, more desirable companies. It is precisely this economic uncertainty that simply makes people leave,“ said Lejla Suceska Causevic, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of BiH.
Due to the mass departure of people, we have come to a situation where our schools are closing, the Union for Sustainable Return says. They pointed out that we are also facing a labor shortage.
”Sanski Most, which used to be the most populated, is deserted today. There are even job ads, but there is no one to work. Then there is Livno, Glamoc, Grahovo, schools are closing there. That’s how alarming it is that we don’t have people, let alonechildren, “ told Mirhunisa Zukic, Union for Sustainable Return of BiH.
Experts think that economic problems are not the main reason for emigration, but lack of prospects, especially when it comes to young people.
Source: BHRT
