On the occasion of the announced amendments to the Law on Fire Protection and Firefighting the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a thematic meeting was held by the Firefighter’s trade union representatives from the entire Federation of BiH. The meeting gathered professional firefighters from Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Mostar and other cities, and the goal is to adopt conclusions and development of the plan of further joint activities in the protection of firefighter rights.
The proposed amendments to the Law, which the Government of the Federation of BiH sent to the parliamentary procedure in urgent proceedings, caused a burning reaction among professional firefighters. The focus of dissatisfaction is a motion on deleting two key members – 112. and 114 – which directly regulate the rights and benefits of firefighters, taking into account the dangers, weight and specificity of their job.
According to the independent union of cantonal civil servants, Sarajevo, such changes would directly reduce professional firefighters, which would further jeopardize their existence and motivation to perform one of the most dangerous public sectors.
Article 112 – Fee for passive duty – “During the passive duty, the elders of the fire unit and firefighter or other fee, has a 15% fee for every hour of passive duty. It is obliged to lead the elder of the professional fire firefighting.”
This article ensures that firefighters are adequately financially compensated and in time when in readiness, although they are not directly engaged in the field. With the abolition of this provision, firefighters lose a fee for hours conducted in the state of standby, which in practice is a significant impact on monthly income.
Article 114 – Increasing the salary for specific working conditions – “Due to the special working conditions, the severity and nature of firefighting, the amounts of firefighter’s salaries and the elders shall be determined by 30%, and other officials have an allowance at a salary of up to 20%.”
This article recognizes the specificity and risks of fire occupation through salary supplements – 30% for firefighters and their superiors, and up to 20% for other in fire units. By deleting this article, firefighters lose the right to a legally guaranteed salary increase, which further devalues their position in the civil protection system.
“This is professional firefighters, and this is a voluntary fire company and they have nothing to do with Art. 112, where I do not adopt and forward the FBiH Government in both the House of Parliament,” said the president of trade union Organizations of professional fire brigade KS, Mirsad Karić.
If the previous conclusions are not realized and does not stop the process of deleting Articles 112. and 114, Firefighters from the entire Federation of BiH are planning to organize a protest in front of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH on the day of the session. Thus, they want to clearly point out the importance of preserving the rights acquired through the years of fighting for better status and the dignity of their profession, writes Black Chronicle.
