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12 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 02/2003
I n a strongly worded message to Sir Paddy Ashdown, the EU High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 20-million strong ICEM voiced it's strong opposition to unilateral restructuring and privatisation of the state-owned energy utility.
During the course of last year, and, after considerable pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the parliament of the Republic of Srpska agreed that, whilst equity in the energy utility could be sold to private investors, the state would retain a majority share holding of 51%.
Despite its members' opposition to privatisation of essential services, the ICEM-affiliated Trade Union of Energy Workers of Srpska, reluctantly supported this compromise with a clear understanding that the state would retain control in order to provide safe and affordable energy to meet the needs of citizens. This agreement also had the strong support amongst citizens, MP's energy experts in the country.
The IMF and the World Bank are believed to be opposed to this law and are working behind the scenes to exert further pressure on the newly elected government to reduce its stake in the utility. The matter will be further debated in parliament on 20 February 2003.
Workers been totally excluded from any process despite repeated requests to be involved in restructuring talks or amendments to legislation. Their exclusion has resulted in a sense of distrust and betrayal and in the process, workers have become extremely angry at the conduct of the international finance institutions.
Their main fear is that further privatisation will lead to increased poverty and unemployment which given the current situation will only lead to further hardship and social upheaval. "I believe this runs contrary to your stated policy of creating jobs and respect for the law. EU policy emphasises social dialogue as an essential instrument to promote good governance and better public policy." says Fred Higgs, ICEM General Secretary.
In a separate letter to the new Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, Higgs called for "a process of social dialogue with the trade union in order to deal with their legitimate concerns" before embarking on any further privatisation and restructuring. Quoting from a recent report presented to Secretary-General of the United Nations in which is stated,"most people in BiH desperately want what people everywhere want: a job, decent schools and hospitals, the rule of law, and a public administration that functions properly and serve the people", Higgs states that "our members are no exception and have demonstrated their desire to engage meaningfully on how this could be achieved"
Mirko Djukic, President of the union warned that, "Our members are on record stating that they have a clear mandate to resist the intentions of the IMF and World Bank, even if this mean taking industrial action . Any refusal on the part of the relevant authorities to engage with our union, will lead to further frustration and further disillusionment. A situation that all of us, including the United Nations, desperately want to avoid".
During the course of last year, and, after considerable pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the parliament of the Republic of Srpska agreed that, whilst equity in the energy utility could be sold to private investors, the state would retain a majority share holding of 51%.
Despite its members' opposition to privatisation of essential services, the ICEM-affiliated Trade Union of Energy Workers of Srpska, reluctantly supported this compromise with a clear understanding that the state would retain control in order to provide safe and affordable energy to meet the needs of citizens. This agreement also had the strong support amongst citizens, MP's energy experts in the country.
The IMF and the World Bank are believed to be opposed to this law and are working behind the scenes to exert further pressure on the newly elected government to reduce its stake in the utility. The matter will be further debated in parliament on 20 February 2003.
Workers been totally excluded from any process despite repeated requests to be involved in restructuring talks or amendments to legislation. Their exclusion has resulted in a sense of distrust and betrayal and in the process, workers have become extremely angry at the conduct of the international finance institutions.
Their main fear is that further privatisation will lead to increased poverty and unemployment which given the current situation will only lead to further hardship and social upheaval. "I believe this runs contrary to your stated policy of creating jobs and respect for the law. EU policy emphasises social dialogue as an essential instrument to promote good governance and better public policy." says Fred Higgs, ICEM General Secretary.
In a separate letter to the new Prime Minister, Dragan Mikerevic, Higgs called for "a process of social dialogue with the trade union in order to deal with their legitimate concerns" before embarking on any further privatisation and restructuring. Quoting from a recent report presented to Secretary-General of the United Nations in which is stated,"most people in BiH desperately want what people everywhere want: a job, decent schools and hospitals, the rule of law, and a public administration that functions properly and serve the people", Higgs states that "our members are no exception and have demonstrated their desire to engage meaningfully on how this could be achieved"
Mirko Djukic, President of the union warned that, "Our members are on record stating that they have a clear mandate to resist the intentions of the IMF and World Bank, even if this mean taking industrial action . Any refusal on the part of the relevant authorities to engage with our union, will lead to further frustration and further disillusionment. A situation that all of us, including the United Nations, desperately want to avoid".