Contrary to the policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina-reality – we lack manpower. Although there is almost no country in Europe, Asia, Africa, especially in the Middle East, where Yugoslav workers did not erect buildings, build roads, bridges, hydroelectric plants, and often entire cities, the situation is different now.
In recent years, the premises of the former joint state have been full of workers from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. Consortia from these countries are almost indispensable in every tender. And it is certain that it will be so in the coming years.
Ever since the European Union opened the borders for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s workers, in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is increasingly difficult to find a quality craftsman. And indeed, tens of thousands of workers earn their bread in the area of Western Europe.
During that time, Bosnia and Herzegovina opens up to foreign workers. In this way, an attempt is made to compensate for the lack of manpower. But are the current quotas for the extension and new employment of foreign workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina sufficient?
“The quotas approved by the state are insufficient. On the other hand, the state asks why we don’t use the approved quotas, and that’s where we come to the key problem. RS mainly uses the planned quotas because they have timely adopted regulations on the employment of foreigners, on mediation in employment and others that greatly simplify the procedure. The federation is too complicated and the procedures for a foreign worker last six months or longer”, says Mario Nenadić, director of the FBiH Employers’ Association.
According to data from the Agency for Labor and Employment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a total of 3,780 work permits were issued to foreign workers last year, of which 1,645 are counted in the quota. Employers report that their needs are much greater.
“For next year, at the request of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, we expressed interest in about 10,000 work permits in the FBiH, but if everything is not accompanied by system adjustments, changes in legal regulations, simplified procedures, it will not be of much use either for the economy or for the state.” , says Nenadić.
“What is certain is that in the coming years the number of work permits for foreigners will increase. Our estimates are that they will be in the tens of thousands. What is important is that these people will contribute to the economic growth of the RS and BiH and make the social protection system more stable”, emphasizes Saša Aćić, president of the Union of Employers of the RS.
And in addition to economic growth, along with domestic, foreign workers should also bring an improvement in the quality of service. Judging by the opinion of the employers, there is no fear that the position of domestic workers will be worse due to their arrival. And while our country is becoming more and more interesting to foreigners, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s workers more often decide to go to work abroad.
