While the public hears information about the historic budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), workers in the real sector, pensioners, farmers, social categories are still waiting for better days.
What does an 11 percent increase mean for pensioners at a time of constant price increases? For the retired engineer MijoFrankovic, the situation is shameful, reminding of the social assistance paid to those who receive their salary from the same budget.
“They give him 1,080 BAM to increase the cost of living. Well, that’s the absurdity of the times, it’s the rule by the strong. I can’t buy a kilo of veal for that increase, plus medicines, which are getting more expensive. It’s miserable,“ told Mijo Frankovic, pensioner and columnist.
A total of 164 million BAM for agriculture, i.e. an increase of four million, caused the indignation of this population. In the statement from the Federal Association, this is mentioned, among other things:
“The adopted amendment that increased the federal budget for agriculture by four, instead of the promised 42 million, is nothing but a slap in the face to all farmers. This attitude towards agriculture will lead to an inevitable decline in production and cause an increase in the prices of agricultural products.”
“That increase is currently insufficient, because we know that all inputs in milk production have become more expensive, from seed material to fertilizers, which is the heaviest fuel we use every day,“ stated Eldin Glibanovic, Group of Milk Producers of Tuzla Canton (TC).
Strong reactions were also caused by the amendments that take away 10 million BAM from the Railways of the Federation.
“We will just note that with this act you have aroused the anger of the workers and that as a trade union we will take a stand and will not allow a political fight over the Railways. Expect a strike and stoppage of railway traffic, and thus the collapse of the economy in the whole of BiH.”
While politicians praise the much larger funds in the budget, the real sector reminds that the increase is solely due to the citizens, which is caused by price increases.
“We expect that the budget will provide various incentives, create jobs, and help those companies that are expanding. As a trade union, we are asking for the lowest salary to be one thousand BAM. I think that the lowest pension should be linked to the lowest salary in the Federation,“ said Fahrudin Sahovic, president of the Independent Trade Union of TC workers.
It is not yet known whether workers in the real sector will receive a decent minimum wage, but it is certain that civil servants and state employees will, in the amount of 11.1 percent. Of course, they should also think about new vehicles.
“Estimated funds of two million for the purchase of cars for federal budget users, based on a decision to be determined by the Government,“ told Jelka Milicevic, Minister of Finance FBiH.
The biggest increase in the budget refers to pensions, for 665 million BAM, for persons with disabilities it is 18 million BAMmore compared to the previous year. How significant it is for vulnerable categories is best evidenced by the crowds in front of soup kitchens, among which are those who don’t have any money from the budget, for which they claim belongs to the citizens.
E.Dz.
