Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been recording a negative natural increase for years. The decline in birth rates is caused by the poor economic situation, but also by small and unequal benefits for mothers: They vary from canton to canton and are minimal in the Federation.
Promises of politicians are great, maternity benefits in many parts of the Federation, however, are small. To recall, the government in the Federation of BiH (FBiH) promised compensations of 1.000 BAM for all mothers at the beginning of the year. However, they will be entitled to only 30 percent of that amount. But a detailed reading of the Law reveals the true picture. 300 BAM is only for unemployed mothers in the Federation, if the household has no income higher than 20 percent of the average salary per household member. Young mothers and puerpera point out that it is only in parenthood that they feel how much the system does not actually protect them, Federalna writes.
“Puerpera is the same in Sarajevo, Bugojno, and throughout BiH, and the right should be the same for all mothers, and it is the government that can change that. I can say from my experience. I just received compensation and I felt a little bad because I compared myself with my cousin who lives in Bugojno and receives nothing since I who received that amount, and we all know how much it is, for now.”
“I received one increased compensation in the amount of the average salary during the second maternity leave because I have a baby. I think it is positive that one canton has started this practice and that it will be a trigger for other cantons to harmonize theirs.”
While we wait for the other cantons to harmonize their practices, discrimination continues. We can often hear that children are the greatest wealth of a country. But, the current laws and financial allocations for the youngest in the Federation do not confirm that statement.
“My opinion is that children must not be discriminated against and that they should have the same rights throughout the Federation, but the problem is in the constitutional system itself, ie in the norm that speaks of this type of benefits and they are paid from cantonal budgets,” said Ljubinko Mitrovic, Ombudsman for Human Rights of BiH.
Unequal benefits create a gap and dissatisfaction among mothers in different cantons. According to the current Law on Maternity Benefits in the Federation, a family of four must not have an income of more than 800 BAM if they want to be entitled to a benefit of 300 BAM.
“This is an unjust law that divides mothers into the employed and the unemployed. It is shameful that this law even punishes an employed mother. When the wife of a parliamentarian does not work, she will receive a maternity allowance, and a woman who works and earns the minimum wage or is a self-employed person will not receive a maternity allowance as a punishment. The law is so illogical, “ pointed out Irfan Cengic, SDP’s member of the FBiH Parliament.
While the struggle between politicians who offer great promises and ask for time to equalize benefits continues, a large number of young families are leaving BiH due to their poor financial situation. If the government wants to keep young people, it will have to give them much more.
E.Dz.
