Bosnia’s Binas Workers Threaten Strike Over Wage Violations
Workers at Bosnia’s state-owned arms manufacturer Binas d.d. Bugojno warn of a possible strike, accusing management of refusing to pay the legally mandated minimum wage and breaching the collective agreement.
In an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), relevant ministers, the Supervisory Board, and the management of the state-owned company Binas d.d. Bugojno, workers have accused the company’s leadership of systematically violating labor rights and ignoring legally mandated wage provisions.
The letter, signed by Bakir Moric, employee and president of the company’s trade union branch, claims that the management has refused to implement the minimum hourly wage established by law and the collective agreement — despite workers fulfilling their duties conscientiously.
“This represents a direct breach of the labor law framework of the Federation of BiH,” the letter states, referencing the Labor Law, which obliges employers to apply collective agreements, prohibits the reduction of acquired rights, and mandates compliance with official regulations.
The union notes that the minimum hourly rate was agreed between the Metalworkers’ Union of FBiH and the Employers’ Association of FBiH, and that its non-enforcement constitutes “a gross violation of legal provisions and a serious infringement of workers’ rights.”
They call on the Government of the Federation of BiH, as the company’s majority owner, to immediately ensure compliance with the legal wage rate, initiate oversight of the company’s management, determine responsibility, and guarantee protection of workers’ rights.
“Workers will no longer tolerate legal and social insecurity,” Moric warned, adding that if authorities remain silent, the union will initiate all legally available measures — including administrative and court proceedings, and potentially a complete work stoppage.
“Gentlemen, do you not respect the laws of this country? Must workers stop production to defend their rights?” the letter concludes.
According to the union, 50 employees have already sued Binas over violations of the collective agreement and wage rules last year, and over 300 more could do the same if the situation is not resolved swiftly.
