EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA RESTRICTED

SARAJEVO, Aug 25 (Hina) - In line with the reform of the labour legislature which will be implemented in Bosnia-Herzegovina at the request of the World Bank, the so far guaranteed employee benefits will be significantly restricted, Sarajevo's daily "Oslobodjenje" said Wednesday. Maternity leave will be reduced from one year to only 14 weeks, while the minimum annual vacation time will be reduced from 18 to 14 days, the paper said, citing the requests of the World Bank experts. The existing labour legislature in Bosnia-Herzegovina envisaged significant maternity benefits, including the right to a 70 to 80 per cent salary paid before sick leave and the right to half working hours with full pay if the mother returns to work before the child is a year old. The aim of such measures was to spur the birth rate, but in order for them to be realised, at least DM51 million was to be secured, which is an enormous burden for the Bosnian Federation economy. Paid or subsidised leave for child care will also be reduced, while companies with less than 25 employees will not be obliged to fulfil any commitment towards new mothers. The reform of the labour legislature will also probably include the annulment of the ban for women to work night shifts, as it has been found to be discriminatory. The World Bank estimates that in the present situation, workers in Bosnia-Herzegovina do not need the until now envisaged number of days off or holiday time, while the resources set aside for such activities will in the future be directed to their salaries. (hina) lml