The streets of Bosanski Petrovac are almost deserted, 60 percent of the population consists of pensioners who mostly survive, and there are almost no young people. The company “Alma Ras” also shut down operations in that municipality. Cost cutting was caused by a drop in demand, i.e. inflation in the main markets in Western Europe, where they do most of their business, and 52 people lost their jobs as a result.
The factory doors are locked, the production facilities are shut down. With the end of annual leave, the employment relationship for 52 workers of “Alma Ras” in Bosanski Petrovac ended. Džejlana Mehić, who worked there for two years, also had to report to the bureau.
DŽEJLANA MEHIĆ, former employee of the company “Alma Ras”
“We received the news that our facility was closing on the last day of the season, the day before the annual vacation, the owners came and informed us that the market was reduced. The customer we worked for canceled orders and decided to end business with our company.
Zlatko Hujić, the former mayor who, he says, also brought “Alma Ras” to this place in 2016, knows how big a problem it is for a small area like Bosanski Petrovac. The plant, it is announced, could also close “Prevent” in Bužim. Can the cantonal and entity governments help the workers and in what way?”
ZLATKO HUJIĆ, former mayor of Bosanski Petrovac Municipality
“I can’t say it’s a disaster, but it’s unfortunate and sad for us here. Imagine, 52 employees x 3, 200-300 people lose their jobs. It’s a little paradoxical today when everyone is looking for workers.”
ERNIS IMAMOVIĆ, Assistant Minister of Labor and Social Policy of FBiH
“That’s really worrying data. In general, we are of the opinion that we must help the workers in every way. Those who become unemployed have the right to compensation, depending on the period they were with the employer, but we will certainly do our best to find adequate jobs.
Whoever wants to work – there is work, said the mayor of Bosanski Petrovac, Mahmut Jukić. The development of this municipality is mostly based on private companies operating there. Some will even import labor from other countries.”
MAHMUT JUKIĆ, Mayor of Bosanski Petrovac Municipality
The backbone of the development of Bosanski Petrovac is forestry, logging, export, wood processing… And what I must point out are the positive examples in the metal industry, that is, the production of metal and aluminum carpentry. We also have a company that is an example in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that employs around 250 workers.
The streets of Bosanski Petrovac are almost deserted today. 60 percent of the population is retired, mostly surviving, and there are almost no young people. After finishing school, they leave in search of better conditions. New jobs are the only chance to sustain life in this area. If the economic picture does not change significantly, even the few young people will leave Bosanski Petrovac.
