Although the competent institutions have intensified their activities in recent days, a concrete solution to the problem of the residence of professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union has still not been offered.
That is why, as stated by the Union of Employers of the Republika Srpska and the Association of Employers of the Federation of BiH, it is certain that the announced blockades of carriers will be implemented.
In a joint statement, they warn that blockades of border crossings could seriously threaten the survival of domestic companies and the entire economy, and they again appeal to the competent institutions to react urgently.
Serious consequences
As they point out, the restrictions faced by professional drivers are already significantly disrupting business continuity, making it difficult to fulfill contractual obligations and slowing down the flow of goods.
“Such circumstances directly threaten the stability of companies, their reliability on foreign markets, but also the functioning of the broader supply chain,” the announcement states.
The employers emphasize that the institutions of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina have not adequately solved this problem for years, and they are demanding immediate involvement and concrete steps.
Request to institutions
Among other things, they are demanding that the issue of border jams and the smooth flow of goods between BiH and the European Union be resolved as soon as possible, no later than next week, in agreement with the Republic of Croatia.
“At the same time, we are asking for an urgent joint meeting between the chairperson of the Council of Ministers and the presidents of entity governments and representatives of employers and carriers, at which a solution to the problems of carriers will be offered or a decision on extraordinary protective measures will be made,” they said.
They add that otherwise the blockades of the institutions would be justified, because, as they point out, the responsibility is not on the borders but in the institutions.
Possible protests
If there is no agreement, the employers warn that they, together with the workers, could take to the streets if their business is threatened by blockades.
“If the blockade of borders is tolerated for some because of their specific problems, then the same is allowed for others whose work and business would be threatened by the blockade of border crossings”, they state.
They also point out that new blockades could cause a series of unforeseen consequences that would threaten not only the economy, but also the functioning of the system as a whole.
Possible lawsuits
Employers remind that institutions are obliged to ensure the freedom of movement of people and goods, and warn that otherwise legal proceedings against the state could follow.
“The conditions are being created for lawsuits by employers against the state, because someone has to be financially responsible for damages caused by the impossibility of realizing business activities,” they point out.
In the end, the Union of Employers of the Republika Srpska and the Association of Employers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasize the need for urgent and coordinated action by all institutions, with the readiness to actively participate in finding solutions that will ensure the stability and certainty of business, writes Focus.
