According to data from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the trade union spending basket in September amounted to 3,131 marks. If we take into account that the average salary is 1,387 marks, and the average pension is 723 marks, the question arises – how do citizens survive and what did they have to give up?
“I survive because every day I think about how much I can spend. I am looking for where to buy cheaper, and I have reduced the quantities a long time ago,” says Rosa Divjak, an eighty-four-year-old pensioner from Banja Luka. She remembers better times when she could afford much more. She says she feels sorry for the youth who leave the country in search of a better life.
“My pension is around 500 marks, there are also bills, I fit it all in somehow. The one who has less than me, it’s difficult.”
Citizens are outraged that the price increases are endless.
And the consumer basket for a family of four in September is covered by 44 percent of the average and less than 20 percent of the minimum wage. In the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they are asking for the introduction of a differentiated VAT rate and help for domestic manufacturers. The authorities, they say, are late with all systemic measures.
LEJLA ČAUŠEVIĆ, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
“Unfortunately, the largest number of citizens in BiH survive. He does not live a normal, acceptable and dignified life, but only survives.”
In the Consumer Movement, they calculated that a four-member family spends 1,400 marks a month on food, or one average salary. And where are the other costs? Neither two average wages nor five minimum wages are enough for a monthly consumer basket.
MARIN BAGO, president of the “Fortuna” consumer association:
“One average salary just for food. We don’t have that example in our environment. In Germany, 30 percent of an average salary goes to food. We give up everything and anything. We give up education, culture, sports, hygiene.”
The analysis of the economist Faruk Hadžić shows how despicable the standard of living of the citizens is. He calculated that three years ago, citizens could buy 28 liters of milk, 25 kilograms of flour, and 36 kilograms of sugar for 100 marks more than this year. This happens, he concludes, when inflation is not fought in time, BHRT writes.
