Republic of Srpska President Attends Session of Federation of Trade Unions’ Presidency

The President of the Republic of Srpska, Željka Cvijanović, attended today in Banja Luka the
session of the Presidency of the Federation of Trade Unions, on occasion of marking 1 May
– the International Labour Day.
President Cvijanović expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Government announced an
increase in salaries for certain sectors.
The President of the Republic stated that care should be taken to find a way to increase
salaries in the private sector similar to the salary growth in the public sector in Srpska.
“There is still a lot to be done when it comes to discipline, payments, settlement of dues with
workers and the state, which is a continuous process,” said President Cvijanović.
The president of Srpska also said that the session further discussed targets set by the union,
and announced salaries would be increased to eliminate certain injustices.
“I am glad that workers with lowest salaries are taken into account and that the possibility of
overcoming problems is evaluated from every possible angle together with the Government
of the Republic of Srpska,” noted President Cvijanović.
The President of the Republic remarked that the main negotiator is the Government of the
Republic, but that, if necessary, she is also willing and ready to contribute in her capacity of
President of the Republic of Srpska.
“I think it is good that we all, basically, despite certain differences, function as one important
and big team. Thanks to this teamwork and the social dialogue we had, in extremely difficult
times in the past which are now luckily behind us, we managed to find ways to overcome
problems and pass laws, even the Labour Law, which will have to be further amended,” the
President recalled.
The President of Srpska added that salaries were increased back then, but that they wanted
it to continue, and that there should be more order and discipline, and expressed satisfaction
with the fact that there is strong social dialogue between the Government of the Republic of
Srpska and all social partners.
“The Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Srpska always had clear demands that
were realistic. They may not have reacted to that moment in the past, but in essence, the
demands were realistic,” emphasised President Cvijanović.
The President of the Republic reminded that when she was Prime Minister of the Republic of
Srpska, she was on good terms with the representatives of the Federation of Trade Unions
of Srpska even when they did not agree on certain matters.
“We have always been partners looking to find good and better solutions for our workers and
for our Republic of Srpska,” stressed President Cvijanović.
The President of the Republic of Srpska congratulated all workers in the Republic on 1 May
– the International Labour Day, wishing that next year, after two years of celebrating the
holiday under circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic, there will soon be an opportunity
to celebrate this important holiday in some other way.

•