EU EXERTING PRESSURE ON TRANSPORT OPERATORS FROM BiH

SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 9 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac stated that certain European countries, by measuring so-called working hours, are exerting additional pressure on transport companies from BiH to weaken the domestic transport sector, which he considers very insidious.

Košarac emphasized that the average age of drivers from BiH is significantly lower than the EU average, and that European companies are increasingly trying to hire domestic drivers by offering them jobs, which represents an open personnel pressure on domestic firms.

"Europe has a problem mobilizing its young people to work in this sector. Their workforce is older, which affects the efficiency and productivity of their companies," Košarac told reporters after the Council of Ministers session.

He added that this issue needs to be addressed at the regional level, as there are clear indications that drivers from BiH are deliberately delayed at borders and encouraged to accept jobs with European transport companies.

Košarac stated that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations is already taking measures within its authority, and that the Veterinary Office has been instructed to strengthen control mechanisms at border crossings, particularly regarding the import of animal products.

"All border inspectors must be fully operational. We must not allow any abuse or speculation," Košarac emphasized, adding that a hotline for anonymous reporting of potential inspector misconduct at border crossings had already been established.