Roadmap for the Employment of Foreign Workers in BiH Published



Bosnia and Herzegovina is faced with a growing need for foreign labour, while having a complex and fragmented labour migration management system.  Based on the research findings, the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated the development of a document establishing a framework for enhancing the system for hiring foreign workers and strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions.  

The Roadmap for the Employment of Foreign Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been developed with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the project “Strengthening Labour Migration Management in BiH” and with technical assistance of the Centre for Development Evaluation and Social Science Research (CREDI). The preparation process took place through consultations with relevant institutions, social partners, employers, and international organisations.

The Roadmap is a strategic document providing specific recommendations aimed at making the employment of foreign workers in the country more efficient, secure, and transparent.  It includes eight key recommendations with measures for short-, medium- and long-term implementation:

1. Enhancing inter-institutional cooperation

It is envisaged to establish an inter-institutional working group to coordinate all levels of authority, reduce administrative barriers and streamline procedures.  This would simplify the process and speed up the issuance of work and residence permits.

2. Improving inter-institutional data exchange

It is recommended to establish a case management system or make the existing systems interoperable to enable digital tracking of applications and reduce the administrative burden.

3. Digitalizing employment procedures

Introducing electronic submission of applications and digital sharing of documents among institutions would enhance efficiency and transparency. An online portal is also proposed to help both employers and workers in tracking applications and obtaining relevant information.

4. Rationalising and harmonising administrative requirements

The aim is to harmonise practices across entities and cantons, reduce duplication of documents and standardise applications (e.g. for medical certificates).  It is also recommended to introduce lists of shortage occupations and harmonise labour market priority checks.

5. Institutional capacity building

It is necessary to increase the number of staff in key institutions and diplomatic and consular missions and provide for engagement of external administrative services.  This would accelerate the processing of applications and ensure better control of the hiring process.

6. Enhancing cooperation with countries of origin

The conclusion of bilateral agreements and memoranda of cooperation with countries that provide the largest number of workers is envisaged to facilitate the issuance of permits, improve information exchange and prevent abuses of the system.

7. Raising awareness among all participants

Setting up a central info point at the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH would provide easy access to reliable information on procedures, and rights and obligations of both employers and workers.  At a later stage, the portal would also provide information on living and working in BiH.

8. Long-term measures for sustainable migration and building a stronger domestic labour market

Emphasis is on the need to reform the education system by implementing BiH qualification framework and ESCO occupational qualification, and to adopt policies that encourage hiring of domestic labour, while attracting skilled foreign workers.

The Roadmap is intended for use by all responsible institutions, and its implementation is aimed at establishing an efficient, digitalised, and transparent system for hiring foreign workers in BiH that will support the socio-economic development of the country, while protecting the rights of all participants in the process.

 

The Roadmap for the Employment of Foreign Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina is available on the website here

The Roadmap summary with recommendations is available for download here