Director Bandić: Regional cooperation has positive impact on the labour market



Muamer Bandić, Director of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH, met in Podgorica today with Suljo Mustafić, Director of the Employment Agency of Montenegro.  The topic of the meeting was the cooperation of the two institutions and exchange of experience from projects involving participation of both institutions.

After the meeting, Muamer Bandić, Director of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH, said that “these two institutions closely cooperate in common activities in the regional bodies, such as the Centre of Public Employment Services of Southeast European Countries, in the implementation of projects of the Regional Cooperation Council, and we are active members of the World Association of Public Employment Services.   All our activities reflect our desire and efforts to improve the labour market situation in our countries and the region as a whole and this meeting should be seen in that context because we can make a positive impact on labour market developments in our domestic labour markets only through our active participation in the regional and global initiatives.”

Director Bandić reminded of the procedures that had been initiated with a view to concluding employment and social insurance agreements with Montenegro and that experts of the two institutions had taken part in the negotiation procedures concerning both agreements, and that our desire and intention was to give the employment procedure its legal framework in accordance with international law and standards.

The meeting also covered the topic of seasonal employment in Montenegro.  The fact remains that Montenegro is in the need of seasonal workers in catering and tourism and the workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina traditionally find these type of jobs in Montenegro.  “The data available to us tell that by the number of workers employed in these jobs, the workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina take the second place.  It is important to say that there are no major problems in this field, but I believe that the exchange of information on employed workers would be mutually beneficial for both institutions in order to better plan and further enhance the working methods”, said Bandić.  

General information on activities implemented by both institutions and the resulting positive experiences was also exchanged in the meeting.  “On the basis of the talks today I am convinced that our common activities will continue in the future, that we will expand our existing cooperation and improve the exchange of knowledge and experience both in the field of EU integration and the implementation of joint projects”, said Bandić.