SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 2 (ONASA) – After a detailed consideration of all the demands of the Independent Primary Education and Training Union of FBiH – the Cantonal Board of the SSOOIO of Sarajevo Canton, presented to the public during a three-day warning strike in preschool and primary education institutions, the Government of Sarajevo Canton accepted the answer that was prepared by the Ministry of Education of Sarajevo Canton.
The Ministry emphasizes that, in cooperation with the Government and the Assembly of Sarajevo Canton, in the past three years, they have recognized education as a key segment of society and allocated significant financial resources for improving working conditions and equipping and rehabilitating institutions, as well as developing programs and strengthening professional capacities. . Workers’ salaries were increased, and the Collective Agreement was amended, including salary supplements and increases in coefficients.
The Government, the Ministry and the relevant minister once again express their determination to continue improving the standards of employees in such a way that their coefficients increase by 10% (this year), with an additional 2% (from the beginning of the next year).
The Government tasked the Public Institution Institute for the Development of Pre-University Education of the Canton of Sarajevo with the preparation of amendments to the Pedagogical Standards and Norms. The Ministry invited all interested parties to submit proposals and suggestions, which enabled the participation of the Union in the development of Pedagogical Standards and Norms, respecting the Law on Basic Education, the Collective Agreement, as well as the Law on the Council of Employees and other regulations. The Ministry emphasizes that consultations were organized with the Trade Union, as well as public consultations on the Draft Pedagogical Standards and Norms, which provided an opportunity for all interested entities to submit their proposals and suggestions.
“In accordance with the current regulations, the prior consent of the employees’ council or the trade union is not mandatory for the adoption of this decision, since the provisions of the Act on the employees’ council prescribe the obligation to obtain the consent of the employees’ council, i.e. the trade union, only in four cases which are precisely prescribed by Article 26 of the Act on Council of employees. However, in the interest of upbringing and education in the Sarajevo Canton, the Ministry will carefully consider all received suggestions and proposals in the process of making the final proposal,” the ministry announced.
In response to the request related to administrative reforms, the Ministry emphasizes its readiness to talk after receiving clarification from the Trade Union about which administrative reforms are in question. In connection with the request that educators be granted the status of an official, benefited working experience and retirement under more favorable conditions, the Ministry notes that these issues are determined by the regulations of higher levels of government – federal and state level.
“Regarding the benefited length of service, the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines that such a decision shall be established by regulation by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, at the proposal of the insurance holder, as well as that it shall be applied to those workplaces where the work is particularly difficult, dangerous and harmful to health,” the Ministry points out.
According to the Decree of the Government of FBiH, it is not possible to pay the aid, because the Government of the Canton of Sarajevo predicted an increase in salaries through an increase in the base for salary calculation, as well as through an increase in coefficients for salary calculation.
They reject the allegations of the Trade Union about differences in salaries in educational institutions in the Institute for the Development of Pre-University Education.
“The analysis of salaries in schools in the Sarajevo Canton shows that a number of employees in education have higher incomes than the employees of the Institute, primarily thanks to the allowances made possible by the application of the Collective Agreement for preschool and elementary education”, explains the relevant ministry.
Also, in connection with the request to change the outdated and extensive curricula, they remind that the Canton of Sarajevo was the first to start reforming the curricula and are open to further improvements.
The Government and the Ministry emphasize their readiness to continue the social dialogue.
“During the negotiations, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to social dialogue. The negotiating teams continued their work with the unequivocal intention of achieving better conditions for workers in education through the Collective Agreement”, they remind from this relevant ministry.
The Ministry of Education of the Canton of Sarajevo will submit the answer to the Independent Union of Basic Education and Education of the FBiH – the Cantonal Board of the SSOOIO of the Canton of Sarajevo, reports the KS Protocol and Press Service