In the eve of the United Protest of the Trade and Service Synelity Trade and Service, 18. May, the Federal Minister Amir Hasicevic said “an imposed on the Flexible model that would enable 16 to 18 working weeks a year, with pre-announced terms and higher employee benefits. A new law on e-commerce in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, according to him, should suppress the practice of working “in black” and better to regulate the area as the state would not have lost hundreds of millions of KM.
The Law on Internal Trade, which has been in force for six months, in Article 18. clearly stipulates that Sunday is a non-working day for trade. Hasicevic points out that the results so far go in favor of that decision.
“There was no reduction in traffic. In April, turnover increased by 9.5% compared to the same month of the previous year, and 11.5% added,” Hasicevic said that it was the real growth between 6 and 8% when inflation is included.
According to him, the number of employees in the trade sector did not declare after the introduction of a non-working Sunday. He called for the Federation of BiH’s Tax Administration, which states that it is the usual rotation of the workforce within the sector. He also pointed out that they are in constant dialogue with unions, who did not report the decline in employment.
Compromise legal solution in preparation
Due to the requirements of certain local communities and pressures from the field, the Federal Ministry of Trade prepares a new law to propose a compromise. It is planned that traders can work 16 to 18 weeks a year, but with the prior notice to the competent inspection, workers and consumers. For these days, the workers will be paid an additional fee of at least 10% of the basic salary per week.
“If a 1,000 KM 1,000 KM minimum salary worker works on all 18 weeks, that means an additional 1,800 KM per year,” he explained.
He added that many local communities were sought by exemptions from the existing law, but did not meet the conditions provided by the Regulation, such as the fall of traffic or decrease in employment. The requirements for exemption for tourist reasons have submitted only high and neu.
He will, as he says, abolish the possibility of exemption at the local level. All existing regulations and regulations will be put out of power, and the new member of the law will clearly define working hours, duty and associated fees.
Stricter food control on pumps
The Federal Ministry of Trade was adopted by the Rulebook on the Minimum Technical Terms for Trade, which stems from the Internal Trade Act. Although the technical regulations are regular practice, this provides special attention to the public, especially due to provisions related to the sale of foods at gas stations and drug stores.
“We have reinforced the rules primarily for consumer protection, but also competition, as there would no longer be unequal market rules,” Hasicevic pointed out.
He especially referred for concern regarding the sale of food at gas stations. Sales of sandwiches or coffee is not prohibited, but objects must have appropriate registration, such as gastro-departments or catering units, which meet hygienic-technical conditions.
“We cannot play with the health of citizens by buying food in unhygienic or contaminated conditions,” he said.
The Rulebook specifies the minimum size of facilities, access to persons with disabilities, and for the first time clearly defines the notion of drugstore, which were previously excluded from the prohibition on Sundays. It is limited that drug stores can have a maximum of 50 square meters, must work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and counter sales are prohibited.
“We have noticed the attempts in order to achieve profits,” the Minister added, emphasizing that the traders were left to a period of six months for adjustment to new technical conditions.
The aim of all these measures is, as it says, establishing equal market conditions, consumer protection and the control of abuse of legal holes.
Transparent prices, guarantees and online rights
The Ministry was finalized by the new Law on Consumer Protection, which is in line with European legislation and contains dozens of EU directives. The law is ready and should soon be addressed to the Government, and then in the parliamentary procedure.
“The Federation of BiH has not had its own law on consumer protection, 2003. The new law clearly defines the return of goods, guarantees, the obligation to provide spare parts and notify consumers,” emphasized.
One of the most important newspapers refers to transparent price formation, which will need to be clearly displayed consumers.
“We are witnessing permanent prices that are often not logical. Therefore, we will commit traders to explain how to form prices,” he added.
Online store is specially processed, including protection against dishonest business practices, and introduces the possibility of alternative dispute resolution through digital communication, without the need for the Court.
Trade Development Strategy for the period 2025-2030. predicts support for domestic products. The introduction of the “domestic shelf” in stores is planned, with possible subsidies for domestic producers, especially less.
“The focus will be on the food industry and the protection of local producers through easier access to the Grand Shops,” Hasicevic said.
It is also planned to make a federal e-platform for the domestic market, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic compared to the part online sellers. In this context, the Minister also announces a new e-commerce law, which will oblige all online sellers to issue a fiscal account and pay taxes, no matter where they are seat.
E-commerce in gray zone: only 12% registered
The new Law on Electronic Trade entered the final stage of making. Its goal is to fight the gray economy in digital space. Hasicevic estimates that the e-commerce is due to losing between 200 and 300 million KM per year.
“These are the means belonging to the state, and end in the pockets of black traders,” Hasicevic is attended.
There are currently less than 12% of the online sellers in the Federation of BiH registered, which leaves a huge space for abuses. The new law clearly defines concepts such as WebShop and Platform, and social networks such as Facebook will receive the same status as the classic platforms such as OLX when used for sale, transfers N1.
“The same rules will apply for Facebook and other social networks,” he emphasized.
One of the provisions also refers to courier services, which will be obliged to provide information about the seller. This establishes a transparent chain of responsibilities in the online store, with the protection of personal data customers.
“The e-commerce will be legal or will not be. It is better that there is no one to be illegal,” the Federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasicevic.
