This year, workers employed in stores in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entered May Day with an unusually long break from work, because for the first time in the last 30 years they will have three consecutive non-working days during the Labor Day.
Unlike previous years, when Labor Day usually meant only one day off for many, depending on which day of the week it fell on, this year’s calendar brings a much more favorable situation for employees in the trade sector.
In previous years, workers, and those who would get a day off on the holiday, would return to their workplaces the very next day, after May 1, while retail chains and stores would generally operate at full capacity again, because a large number of consumers who celebrated would return to shopping and expected that while they were ‘shopping’ the merchants would be working.
This year, however, May 1 and 2 were officially declared non-working days, while Sunday, May 3, which was previously defined as a non-working day in the FBiH, naturally follows on from that.
This created a rare case for the first time that employees in stores in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have three days without continuous work obligations.
Although trade union organizations and workers have been pointing out for years that the working conditions in the trade sector are still demanding, with constant calls to improve labor rights and status, this year’s May Day for many still represents a small respite and an opportunity to rest, which rarely happens in practice.
The first of May, which is celebrated all over the world as International Labor Day, comes into the public’s focus this year, not only as a symbol of workers’ rights, but also as a reminder of the daily rhythm of work in sectors that do not know frequent breaks.
Thus, workers in the trade sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina worked at an increased pace with huge crowds yesterday, but at least those in FBiH will have a little rest until the first working day of this month, which is Monday, May 4.
On the other hand, employees in the trade sector in the RS entity will work on Sunday, and some tomorrow.
However, opposition parties in FBiH often criticize the ban on working on Sundays, while employees defend their right to rest during holidays.
Despite the short break, the expectations from trade unions and employees in the trade sector, and as it was repeated on the eve of May 1, remain the same. Continuation of the fight for better working conditions, higher wages and a more stable working environment, which would not depend on the randomness of the holiday calendar, writes Report.
