It is estimated that several hundred thousand people left Bosnia and Herzegovina during the past decade. How to stop this negative trend is a question to which the government has not had an answer for years, and access to the German labor market will be additionally privileged for our citizens starting next month.
Job ads in Germany are visible at every turn. Germany’s already wide-open doors for workers from the Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, have been additionally opened since June 1. Germany will double the number of visas that will be granted annually. Will it accelerate the exodus even more and is the departure justified?
It is estimated that almost 700,000 jobs are unfilled in Germany. Workers from abroad are urgently needed and that is why many restrictions have been lifted, both for people from our country and from Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
“From June 1, the chances are the same for everyone. Anyone who has an employer can come to Germany to work, that’s all you have to find. The jobs that most of our people go to are courier services, fast food restaurants, hotels… These are unqualified workers”, explains the founder of YouTube channel Gastarbeiter Dino Klepo.
Without a clear vision of how to retain people who want more than mere survival, it is difficult to expect the trend of emigration from our country to stop. The consequences are already catastrophic.
“There is no worse decision on Earth than when you say that there is no employment until the Government gives its consent, and it is given if someone has a good connection with a political party. It drives young people out of this country. This country needs young and educated people to work!”, Rector of the University of Sarajevo Rifat Škrijelj is categorical.
New benefits for the employment of citizens of the Western Balkans in Germany come into effect on June 1.
“Companies are in a hopeless situation every day. People close their businesses every day because they no longer have anyone to work with. We face this every day”, emphasizes Kasim Selimović, president of the Trade, Tourism and Hospitality Association of the TK Chamber of Commerce.
However, not everything is so dark, says Dominik Raškaj, spokesperson for the employment portal. As an example, he cites another trend – the return of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s workforce, which, he believes, needs to be stimulated.
“Over 11,000 construction companies were closed in Italy, Germany… That labor force is currently returning, that percentage is from 10 to 15 percent. All indicators indicate that the number will increase. As for the measures, it would be best to copy Croatia, which gave grants in the amount of 50,000 euros if someone wants to start their own business, hire someone. It’s a nice and sufficient incentive to motivate them to come back,” says Raškaj.
Until then, Bosnia and Herzegovina will lose its most valuable resource – people. And official data shows that in the last ten years, there are thirty percent fewer students in all primary, secondary schools and colleges.
Although it is said that the sun of another’s sky does not warm anywhere like at home, the daily departure of the young and educated creates a completely different picture. If the trend continues, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be the best example of what injustice, corruption and bad governance can cause, BHRt writes.
Photo: EU in BiH
