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Commerce
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Bosnia and
Herzegovina

Trafficking in women is a major problem in Europe. One of the most problematic countries is Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is still struggling with its recovery from the war which ravaged it in the 1990's. The international organisations, which play an important role in the normalisation process in Bosnia, have established a joint task force to combat this trafficking, in cooperation with local authorities.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a turning point for trafficking in women, but also a destination country. The absence of strong institutions helps the criminal organisations, which are engaged in this dirty business. The women trade unionists, who participate in the UNI Commerce project in Bosnia, want to play an active role in putting an end to this disgrace in their country.

UNI Commerce - and its predecessor FIET Commerce - have been engaged in major project work in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Dayton Peace Agreement ended over three years of war, late 1995. As part of this project, a seminar for women trade unionists was recently held in Sarajevo, to discuss how trade unions could contribute to put an end to the trafficking of women.

It is estimated that between 700,000 and 2 million people are being sold annually, for a profit of 7 billion USD. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries most affected by this, both as a country of destination and as a transit country. The Bosnian government, which is still weak, has been heavily criticised for not having done enough to stop this trafficking.

The Sarajevo seminar, lead by Alex Rüdig of UNI Commerce, aimed at raising the awareness about trafficking among the women members of the commerce and finance trade unions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also wanted to underline that the women who are concerned by this trafficking are indeed victims, who are in no way guilty themselves for their difficult situation. They need help and support from other women, and from women's associations and trade unions.

The seminar called on the Bosnian authorities, and the international community, to step up their efforts to end the trafficking of women. This requires more efficient monitoring, as well as decisive interventions when necessary.

Two representatives from the Swedish finance workers' trade union Finansförbundet participated in the Sarajevo seminar, Ulla Cederström and Magnus Gissler. They told participants about the long traditions of women's associations in Sweden as well as about women's work in the trade unions.

The UNI Commerce solidarity project, which in Bosnia is still known by its locally registered name as the FIET Trade Union Solidarity Project will now follow up the seminar. A special 'Gender Training Package' will be produced for for use by women trade unionists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, dealing also with the trafficking issue. Also regional follow up activities will be organised, expanding the approach also to neighbouring countri4es.