FIET Commerce
FIET Central and Eastern Europe
24 January, 1998
The FIET solidarity project
in Bosnia and Herzegovina
FIET Commerce FIET Central and Eastern Europe 24 January, 1998 |
The FIET solidarity project in Bosnia and Herzegovina |
FIET Trade Union Solidarity Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Summary Report
October 1996 to December 1997
1. Introduction
The FIET trade union solidarity project was initiated in October 1997, during a contact mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina arranged by the European Trade Union Confederation ETUC. FIET participated in this mission. In meetings with Bosnian trade union leaders in Sarajevo, the FIET delegation noted much frustration over the lack of concrete support from international and national trade union organisations.
From the beginning, it was agreed that any FIET support programme must promote the implementation of the civilian provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The activities must reach out to all parts and both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and there must be a dimension in the project, which would bring together trade union leaders and other members for joint events.
HK, Norway and Handels, Sweden secured the financing of an immediate project start in Bosnia and Herzegovina whereas FIET took the operational responsibility. In January 1997, they were joined by the Nordic Committee of Commerce Trade Unions, which at a meeting in January in Sarajevo decided to finance the overall implementation costs of the project.
2. Project Objectives
Supporting the implementation of the Dayton agreement
The Dayton agreement calls for the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as one country with two entities, the Federation of BiH and the Serb Republic. The project supports the aims to create country-wide infrastructures, through encouraging trade union activities, networks and structures that comprise both entities. Through this approach, the project can contribute to the emergence of nation-wide corporate networks in commerce and finance.
Participating in economic reconstruction
The economic, social, political and psychological war recovery and reconstruction process in Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for the full participation of all parts of society. Structural reforms and privatisation are necessary parts of the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Without a social dimension, it will not be possible to engage workers and their families for this effort. Through reviving trade union activities in commerce and finance and through specialised training activities, the project enables workers to participate in the economic reconstruction efforts, where their industries will play a key role from the beginning. Helping to develop vocational education and training in commerce and finance, the project supports an economic transition where the social dimension gets sufficient and proper attention.
Promoting organising and trade union development in commerce and finance
For internal stability and the success of its reconstruction efforts, Bosnia and Herzegovina, needs strong and efficient free and democratic trade unions. Such unions can reach over the divides in the BiH society, uniting workers and their families and voicing the concerns, aspirations and demands of their members.
3. Project Structure
The project comprises separate but inter-linked modules, tied together by a joint structure. This allows a broad participation by social partners and other institutions. A modular structure enables the project to respond to changing needs and possibilities and to political and social developments in the project country.
4. Results
During the first fourteen project months, the following main results have been achieved:
Commerce trade union activities have been revived
Finance trade union activities have been revived
Trade union contacts have been established between the two entities
A FIET women's network has been created, uniting women from both entities and all population groups
Co-operation has started between the local social partners on issues of joint interest
Many humanitarian, employment-promoting and training projects have been launched
An efficient FIET project organisation has been created, covering both entities
FIET is now the leading international and European trade union project organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the leading non-governmental participants in implementing the Dayton agreement
5. Revival of commerce trade union activities
New commerce trade union structures have emerged in both entities
When the project was started late 1996, there were no trade union activities in the commerce sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formally established in 1995, but was not operational. The Commerce and Tourism Trade Union of the Serb Republic was established only in June 1997.
With FIET project support, trade union structures have been created in both entities, the membership basis has been consolidated and union congresses have been held.
The Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Head office opened in Sarajevo in December 1996
New membership base has been created
Basic infrastructure is now in place
Full-time president, organiser and office secretary
Executive committee was established early 1997
First congress was held in August 1997
Local and cantonal structures have been created
Organising, negotiating and grievance handling has started
Training and information programmes have been prepared
The union has established contacts with the colleagues in the Serb Republic, through a joint FIET project committee
Contacts have been revived with unions in neighbouring countries
The FIET project started in 1996 with the Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina. An office in the trade union house in Sarajevo – the Dom Sindikata – was established and equipped in December. With project support, the union employed a secretary in January 1997. From the same date, the project enabled the union’s president to engage himself on a full time basis.
Very soon, a more direct FIET involvement in the project activities became necessary to ensure a development of union structures and activities and to allow for the overall project objectives to be efficiently promoted. A FIET office was established in connection with the union's headquarters. There is a close co-operation between both offices and today, the union receives various administrative and operational services from the FIET team.
The commerce union has consolidated its structures in cantons and localities through organising and training activities. In the summer of 1997, membership numbers were written down to zero and a new computerised membership register was created. By the end of the year, 4,300 members had been registered.
All over the Federation and particularly in the Mostar and Zenica regions, the union has engaged itself in creating women's networks. Several women's activities have been held.
Negotiations with employers and government authorities have been intensive during the whole period. Several grievance cases have been handled on behalf of members. A strike in Zenica early 1997 against irregularities in connection with a privatisation case led to a violent police intervention. At the union's initiative, the trade union confederation successfully intervened, with strong support from FIET, to defend the workers.
Commerce and Tourism Trade Union of the Serb Republic
Commerce union office opened in Laktashi in February 1997
New membership base has been created
Central infrastructure has been put in place
Full-time president
Full-time office secretary shared with FIET project organisation
Executive committee has been established
Congress in June 1997
Local and cantonal structures have been created
The first collective agreement has been concluded
Work with privatisation process has commenced
Training activities have started
The union has established contacts with the colleagues in the Federation of BiH, through a joint FIET project committee
The FIET project provides financial support the organisational and training activities of the Commerce and Tourism Trade Union of the Serb Republic. The union's first congress in July 1997 was financed by the FIET project, after the union confirmed that it did not intend to deny being part of a joint trade union movement of Bosnia and Herzegovina. FIET representatives have participated in three executive committee meetings and several courses have been held within the project. A women's project was launched in the Serb Republic in December 1997, as part of a women's project that covers the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Commerce and Tourism Trade Union signed its first entity-wide collective agreement in August 1997. It has been involved in several grievance cases, some of which have led to strikes. Many of the grievances have concerned non-payment of wages.
Independent Finance Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Early 1997, FIET provided computer equipment to the Independent Finance Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the year, with support from the Nordic bank workers' federation NBU, FIET has helped the union to cover some of its operating expenses, including its Congress in September 1997. In Sarajevo, the union has worked in close contact with the FIET project office. The union has participated in several activities in the Balkan region. Late 1998, preparations started for launching project activities in the finance sector early 1998 and for establishing an office in the Dom Sindikata.
The union has been a leading force in negotiating the general collective agreement, which has brought considerable increases to minimum wages in all sectors. It plays an important role within the Independent Trade Union Confederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finance Workers Trade Union of the Serb Republic
A finance workers' trade union was established in the Serb Republic in 1997, but it still lacks most structures. The FIET project organisation is in contact with this union, but activities have not yet been launched. Women from this union have participated in FIET's joint activities. The union has also been represented at joint meetings between the entities and at the Balkan bank workers' conference in Greece in October.
Establishing local and regional trade union structures in both entities
Offices in East and West Mostar were established in February 1997
Half time representative in Mostar from May to August 1997
Full time representative in Mostar from September 1997
Office in Zenica established in November 1997, with half time representative
Preparations for a regional project in Sarajevo with Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preparations for regional project activities in Tuzla
Preparations for regional project activities in Mrkonic grad
Preparations for regional project activities in Bihac
6. Promoting trade union contacts between the two entities
The FIET project meeting in Sarajevo in January 1997 established the first contacts between commerce trade unions in the two entities since the war. Later in the year, a joint FIET project committee was established. In the finance sector, the first joint meeting between trade union leaders from the two entities was held at FIET’s initiative in Sarajevo in August 1997. Also here, a joint FIET project committee was established. These committees are the first joint post-war trade union structures in BiH.
7. Joint activities
Creating a network of women trade unionists
A FIET women’s conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina was arranged in September 1997, for security reasons in Hungary, supported by German affiliates DAG and HBV and Hungarian affiliate KASz. As a result, a women’s network is now emerging between trade unionists from different population groups and entities. Two follow up seminars were held in December 1997, in Zenica and in Laktashi. The women’s activities have comprised both commerce and finance workers and have been handled by the FIET project organisation.
8. Project-supported participation in international activities
Commerce
First FIET meeting for commerce trade unions in ex-Yugoslavia, Zagreb in January 1997 (BiH Federation)
Joint mission to Geneva, Hamburg, Oslo and Stockholm, in April 1997 (BiH Federation and Serb Republic)
Euro-FIET meeting on mail order and electronic commerce, Hamburg in April 1997 (BiH Federation and Serb Republic)
Euro-FIET Commerce trade section committee meeting, Geneva in September 1997 (BiH Federation and Serb Republic)
Finance
First FIET meeting for finance trade unions in ex-Yugoslavia, Zagreb in February 1997 (BiH Federation)
Second meeting for finance unions in the Balkans, arranged by OTOE, in Thessaloniki, Greece in September 1997 (BiH Federation and Serb Republic)
Youth
A youth delegation representing the commercial workers' trade union of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of delegates from both entities was to participate in the FIET youth conference in Cyprus in September, but turned back home after one of its members was refused transit entry to Croatia, in violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. FIET protested to the High Representative ant the Croatian government against the action taken by the border police.
9. Project meetings
Contact meeting, Sarajevo, October 1996
In connection with a ETUC project conference in Sarajevo, the first meetings were held between FIET and the commerce and finance workers' unions.
Sarajevo in January 1997 (commerce)
A delegation representing FIET and the Nordic commerce and finance trade unions visited Sarajevo in January 1997. During their visit, the first post-war meeting between commerce trade union leaders from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serb Republic was held. The first of its kind, bringing representatives of the civic communities together in Sarajevo, the meeting attracted much publicity. It was agreed that a joint project be launched and that a second project meeting be held in the near future in the Serb Republic.
The FIET and Nordic representatives also met with political and community leaders and held extensive consultations with the trade union confederation.
During the January mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Nordic Committee of Commerce Trade Unions made a major commitment to finance the basic expenses of the FIET project organisation. After the Sarajevo meetings, the FIET representatives proceeded to Mostar where they established project offices in both parts of this divided town.
Laktashi in February 1997 (commerce)
The second joint project meeting for commerce unions was held in Laktashi in the Serb Republic, in the presence of FIET representatives. The Office of the High Representative OHR participated in the meeting and extended important logistics support. At this meeting, the joint project was confirmed and a joint project committee was established between the entities. This was the first joint structure between trade unions in the two entities.
After the Laktashi meeting, the delegations from FIET and Sarajevo met with trade union and community leaders in Mrkonic grad in the Serb Republic.
Geneva in April 1997 (commerce)
In connection with a visit to Geneva in April, a meeting of the joint commerce project committee was held at FIET headquarters. At this meeting, the project committee discussed the future structures of the commercial workers trade union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and agreed on a joint presentation of the project activities.
Sarajevo in August 1997 (commerce and finance)
At the Sarajevo meeting, the joint project committee made an assessment of developments so far and discussed various joint activities, including the women's conference in Hungary in September.
In the finance sector, trade union leaders from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serb Republic met for the first time, in the presence of FIET representatives. They agreed on a joint project on the same basis as in commerce and on establishing a joint project committee. In connection with the meeting of the committee, a high level conference on privatisation was held, with the participation of the vice governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a delegation of the Nordic Bank Workers' Federation NBU.
Geneva in September 1997 (commerce)
The presidents of the Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Commerce and Tourism Trade Union of the Serb Republic, Hasan Kovac and Bogdan Davidovic, participated in the Euro-FIET Commerce Trade Section Committee meeting in Geneva in September 1997. In connection with this meeting, a meeting of the joint commerce project committee was held.
10. Meetings of the International Project Committee
International project committee, Oslo in June 1997
The first international project committee meeting was held in Oslo on 3 June 1997. The composition of the committee was confirmed as follows:
Sture Arntzen, president of HK Norway, president of the project committee
Jan Furstenborg, head of department, FIET Commerce and FIET Central and Eastern Europe, vice president of the project committee
Sören B. Henriksen, managing director, Danish Commerce and Service, Denmark
Jörgen Hoppe, president of HK Handel, Denmark
Hans Kristiansen, director, Norwegian Commerce and Service Employers, Norway
Kenth Pettersson, president of Handelsanställdas Förbund, Sweden
Alex Rüdig, project director, Germany, secretary of the project committee
It was agreed that the committee shall be complemented as needed with members representing major participants in the project. It was further decided that between meetings of the international project committee, the president and vice president can make decisions on its behalf, after consulting with the other members.
Later during the year, the president of the project committee invited Hubert Gartz of DAG and Claudio Treves of FILCAMS as well as a representative of the Nordic finance unions as new members. This was confirmed by the project committee at its meeting in Mostar in January 1998.
Alex Rüdig was appointed as project director for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stationed in Sarajevo, for the period 1.7.1997 to 31.1.1998. Mersiha Besirovic was appointed as project secretary.
The international project committee agreed on the following definition of responsibilities:
"The role of the project committee is to co-ordinate the different modules and elements which form the project and to serve the participating organisations. Each individual organisation that participates in the project has full responsibility, including the responsibility for financial administration, accounting and reporting, for its own module or project element. The role of FIET is consultative and FIET will not bear any other responsibility than that which has specifically been accepted by FIET. As part of its consultative role, FIET will supervise the overall implementation of the project and when necessary make recommendations to the international project committee and participating unions."
11. Union participation in international activities
Commerce
First meeting for commerce unions in Ex-Yugoslavia, Zagreb, January 1997
Joint leadership mission to Geneva, Hamburg, Oslo and Stockholm, April 1997
Joint delegation to Euro-FIET Commerce trade section committee meeting in Geneva in September 1997
Finance
First meeting for finance unions in Ex-Yugoslavia, Zagreb, February 1997
Second meeting for bank unions in the Balkans, Thessaloniki, September 1997
12. Other activities
A number of projects have been initiated. Some have been completed already, others are on their way and some are still in their preparatory stages.
Project with the Economics School of Sarajevo
The large project to furnish and equip the Economics School of Sarajevo and to adapt its curriculum to the demands of a modern commerce sector in the new market economy has been initiated and prepared by the FIET project structures in co-operation with the trade union movement. The Danish social partners have now launched the project.
Projects with Swiss House in Mostar
Several projects for working and unemployed women in the Mostar region have been supported by the FIET project, with financing from HK Norway, supported by the Norwegian commerce employers. A women’s seminar with participation from different population groups was held in June 1997. Fifteen computers with the necessary software were provided in October to the Swiss House, a women’s centre in Mostar, for employment promoting training classes. A FIET project representative has been employed in Mostar since May 1997, concentrating primarily on women’s activities.
Project with Hepok in Herzegovina
A project to support the wine industry in Herzegovina in marketing its wines has been worked on for most of the year, together with HK Norway. Several meetings have been held. It has become apparent that the wine co-operative Hepok will need support with developing its production process before wine of a sufficiently good quality for European markets can be produced.
Project with the Commercial School of Zenica
A project to support the renovation and development of the commerce school of Zenica is being prepared by the FIET project structures for the social partners in commerce in Finland.
Co-operation with Norsk Folkehjelp in Mostar
With support from the FIET project structures, HK Norway has opened up a co-operation with Norwegian Peoples Aid and their Mostar office, with a view of launchin