The administrative supervision confirmed – Director of the Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was illegally appointed to the position

The Managing Board of the Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the FBiH refused to dismiss the Director Ahmet Baljic, although during the administrative supervision the Commission established by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (with one separate opinion) determined he had been illegally appointed to that position.

Banjaluka, 10th May 2018 –  Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) invites the Managing Board of the Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the FBiH (hereinafter: the Fund) to dismiss the Director Ahmet Baljic from this function since the administrative supervision confirmed he was illegally appointed to this position. TI BiH possesses the Report made by the Commission who performed supervision which indicates that Baljic was not meeting all the requirements for the position of director, and that his appointment to this position represents violation of the legally prescribed rights of disabled persons.

Namely, the appointment of Ahmet Baljic, who is not a person with disability, represents violation of the Law on Vocational Rehabilitation which prescribes the following: in case two or more candidates meet all job requirements, the advantage must be given to a person with disability. Although two out of four candidates were disabled persons, this principle was not followed. Also, the Commission determined that Baljic did not have enough work experience because the data he submitted about his work experience in managerial positions did not match the data of the Tax Administration of FBiH. The Commission found out that he worked as head of regional office at one security company for two years and eight months, and with a part-time contract only.

Regardless of the determined facts, the Managing Board of the Fund refused to dismiss Baljic from the position of Director saying they will not discuss the conclusions given by the administrative supervision until the legal proceeding, initiated before the Municipal Court of Sarajevo in regard to this case, is completed. According to the opinion of TI BiH the conclusions of the Commission are enough to start the initiative to dismiss the director since the facts determined and confirmed in administrative supervision should not be ignored.

TI BiH invited the Human Rights Ombudsman of BiH to use its powers and to issue a recommendation for dismissal of Baljic. Please note that during his mandate the Fund has been mentioned in the context of numerous illegal acts related to the approval of funds for the employers who have, only formally, ant not actually, employed persons with disabilities. Investigating such allegations the Commission determined that the Fund had not taken any adequate measures to prevent such abuse.

 Press rls 10.05.2018. e