The increase in electricity prices from January 1 in the Republika Srpska brings new price increases, including health care. No one is talking about wage increases and social benefits. Do citizens have reason to celebrate?
The new year brings new price increases. It is already clear that the increase in electricity prices from January 1 in the Republika Srpska will have a domino effect on the prices of other products and services. This news has pensioners most worried.
The price of electricity is 20.8 percent higher than the previously used price, while the increase in the total bill for end customers from the household category will amount to an average of 7.9 percent. Given the increasing pressure on consumers, the authorities will have to find a balance between energy policy and
the protection of consumer standards, experts say.
“I think it would be very necessary for our governments, at all levels, to turn their attention to the problems of ordinary workers, ordinary people, because doing business like this, living on a high foot in the public sector, and putting people in a situation where they lose their jobs because employers cannot pay the minimum wage, which happened in the Republika Srpska this year, and the same will happen in the Federation next year, will definitely lead to a major social uprising.”, says economist Zoran Pavlovic.
The Consumers’ Association “Zvono” also warns of the announced increase in the price of primary health care services in the Republika Srpska, although citizens are already paying significantly more for medicines compared to countries in the region.
“The difference is in the price of medicines purchased in Serbia and here, and another thing is, there were plenty of other products there. At one time, bread was popular, so Zvornik and the surrounding area could go to Mali Zvornik to buy it.”, explains Jovan Vasilic, president of the Consumers’ Association “Zvono”.
In the end, citizens will once again have to make ends meet from their own pockets. No one is talking about salary increases, pensions that are symbolic anyway, or social benefits for now, BHRT writes.
