The FIET Trade Union Solidarity Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Commerce and finance trade union leaders from a number of countries in the Western Balkans participated in a FIET project meeting in Sarajevo on 16 September. The aim of the meeting was to assess the need for trade union support projects in the region's countries, which were hard hit by the war over Kosovo.

The meeting, where also some of the potential donor organisations participated, heard reports on the economic and social situation in the region. Particular emphasis was given also to the role that workers and their trade unions must play in restoring normalcy and building the foundations for a European future.

The discussions in Sarajevo are now being followed up through separate discussions and project missions. This initiative builds on a resolution by the Euro-FIET Executive Committee from its meeting in Berlin in June this year, which called for support to be given to the unions in the countries and regions affected by the war.

These FIET project discussions and initiatives will include commerce and finance trade unions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

In connection with the annual Euro-FIET Commerce meeting in Geneva on 28-29 September, detailed project discussions were held with Albanian union representatives. A mission to Albania is scheduled for November this year. FIET has two affiliated trade unions in this country, and co-operates also with a number of other unions.