OPEN LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION OF BIH – Ensure transparent and fair employment in the public sector

Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH) and Centers for Civil Initiatives (CCI) call on members of the FBiH Parliament to finally ensure the adoption of the Law on Amendments to the FBiH Labor Law in the part related to improving the public sector employment system in the Federation of BiH .

Namely, in the past period, TI BiH and CCI have prepared a “Decree on the procedure for hiring in the public service in the FBiH” which regulates the employment procedure in all public sector entities, which are not part of the civil service, on the principles of transparency and merits. The FBiH Government has previously expressed its readiness to adopt this Regulation immediately after the adoption of amendments to the Labor Law.

However, the final adoption of amendments to the Labor Law has been delayed for six months by the leadership of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament. Both House Speakers, Edin Music (SDA) and Lidija Bradara (HDZ), turned a deaf ear to the request for clarification and holding the meeting.

TI BiH and CCI consider it extremely important to better regulate public competition in all parts of the public sector, because only in this way can corrupt employment practices such as party employment, nepotism, bribery and cronyism be reduced. Adoption of the Decree prescribing the selection of the most competent candidates would meet the requirements of the Reform Agenda and finally show real political will in the fight against corruption. Findings from research by both organizations show that citizens believe that public sector employment procedures are the most corrupt and that not all citizens have equal opportunities.

TI BiH and CCI therefore once again call for the adoption of amendments to the Labor Law that will enable the FBiH Government to pass a Decree as soon as possible that will prescribe the obligation to conduct public competition in employment in the entire public sector, including public companies, agencies, funds , as well as educational, health and other institutions, which are not part of the civil service, and equally important, the employment of the best candidates, ie. capable, not eligible, on any basis.

Attached to this open letter is a postal delivery note as proof that the CCI and TI BiH submitted the working material “Decree on the Procedure for Admission to Employment in the Public Service in the FBiH” to the relevant ministry and the Prime Minister Novalić’s office.

OPEN LETTER TO YOU I WOULD CCI

Postal delivery note