FIET Bosnia project - labour leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina discuss projects in Norway

FIET Commerce
FIET Central and Eastern Europe

24 June, 1998

The FIET solidarity project
in Bosnia and Herzegovina

FIET's extensive project activities were discussed on a high level when top labour leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina visited Norway in June. In meetings with the trade union confederation LO and the commercial workers trade union HK, both ongoing and new projects were deal with. The delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which represented both entities, also participated in the National Council meeting of HK. The visit to Norway was arranged as part of the FIET-HK project.

The National Council of the commerce and office workers' trade union HK brings together union leaders from all regions of Norway. At their meeting in June, they expressed enthusiastic support for the FIET-HK project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the visit Suleiman Hrle, president of the Independent Trade Union Confederation of Bosnia and Herzegovina met for discussions with the president of the Trade Union Confederation LO of Norway, Yngve Hågensen. Ature Arntzen, president of HK and member of the LO management committee also participated, as well as the secretary treasurer of LO Bente Halvorsen and the head of the LO international department Jon Ivar Nålsund. The Bosnian delegation included also Hasan Kovac, president of the Independent Commerce Trade Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bogdan Davidovic, president of the Commerce and Tourism Trade Union of the Serb Republic. FIET was represented by Jan Furstenborg, head of department, and Alex Rüdig, project director.

Suleiman Hrle (right) and Bogdan Davidovic (centre) were interviewed by local media during their stay in Norway.

Suleiman Hrle and Bogdan Davidovic giving an interview

The talks with the LO leadership focused on the overall situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the important role of trade unions in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. As a concrete issue, at the initative of FIET and HK, the possibilities for financing a renovation of the badly damaged Sarajevo trade union house Dom Sindikata was also discussed. On behalf of LO, Yngve Hågensen expressed strong support for such a project and it will now be followed up with Norwegian government authorities in Oslo. Suleiman Hrle extended an invitation to the LO president to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the near future.

Hasan Kovac informed the HK National Council about the FIET-HK project with his union.

At the three day meeting and workshop of the HK National Council, a full day was dedicated to the project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council members, who are active trade unionists from different parts of Norway, were deeply impressed with what the Bosnian delegation told them about the situation in their country. The Council also saw the FIET video film about the experiences of Nerma Arnautovic during the siege of Sarajevo. HK in Norway is already the clearly biggest contributor to the FIET trade union solidarity project in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the National Council confirmed this commitment also for the future. In closing the meeting, HK president Sture Arntzen informed the Couuncil that in October, the entire executive committee of HK will visit Sarajevo, Doboj, Zenica and Mostar to review the project.