Sector for International Cooperation and Domestic Labour Market

The Sector for International Cooperation and the Domestic Labour Market is responsible for:

a) Cooperating with competent agencies, institutions, and international organisations in the field of employment;

b) In coordination with the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereinafter referred to as the competent BiH Ministry), implementing the international obligations assumed by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of employment, in cooperation with the competent Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

c) Monitoring the implementation of international standards and policies in the field of employment and, in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH, participating in their implementation;

d) Initiating the conclusion of international agreements in the field of employment and participating in negotiations for the conclusion of international social security agreements concerning unemployment benefits, as well as monitoring their implementation in cooperation with the employment services of the Entities and the Brčko District of BiH;

e) Coordinating activities within domestic and international employment-related projects of relevance to Bosnia and Herzegovina and cooperating with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH in their implementation;

f) Collecting domestic and international requests and information regarding the supply and demand of domestic and foreign labour and, in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH, facilitating their implementation within the limits of its authority and the capacities of the labour market in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

g) Monitoring, analysing, and researching economic, social, and other developments, as well as employment and unemployment trends and their interrelationships, in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH, and proposing measures and activities aimed at improving employment;

h) Initiating activities with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH to jointly organise and implement, in cooperation with employers, trade unions, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, vocational guidance and training programmes aimed at increasing employment and promoting other forms of active labour market policy;

i) Coordinating the employment of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina abroad, within the limits of its legal authority and in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH;

j) Conducting analyses and preparing reports and other documents in the field of employment; drafting proposals and working papers for documents to be adopted by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the request of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the competent BiH Ministry, where necessary in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH;

k) Proposing to the Council of Ministers, through the competent Ministry of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, long-term, medium-term, and annual plans on labour market policy guidelines and active labour market measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

l) Providing opinions and recommendations to the competent BiH Ministry regarding the employment of foreign nationals (employment quotas), in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH;

m) Ensuring, in cooperation with the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH, the availability of necessary unemployment-related data, particularly data required for the fulfilment of international obligations;

n) Participating in the preparation of the Agency’s annual reports and annual work programmes;

o) Providing training and professional development for its staff to respond to the requirements and challenges of international obligations and integration processes and initiates the same activities within the Entity Employment Services and the Employment Service of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Department for International Cooperation

Cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO):

-          Implementation of ratified ILO conventions in the field of labour and employment;

-          Preparation of legislative acts for the adoption and implementation of unratified conventions;

-          Participation in the preparation, adoption, and implementation of labour and employment policies aimed at creating conditions for the implementation of ILO conventions;

-          Reporting to and cooperation with the ILO on the implementation status of conventions, recommendations, and resolutions;

-          Fulfilment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's financial and other obligations towards the ILO;

-          Cooperation in the development of a macroeconomic environment for employment and non-discriminatory employment policies;

-          Participation in the work of the ILO and its bodies and organs.

Cooperation with the European Union:

-          Alignment of legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with European Union legislation on unemployment insurance and active and passive labour market measures;

-          Activities aimed at enhancing mobility and employment without restrictions and discrimination;

-          Creating conditions for equal treatment of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina employed in Europe and foreign citizens employed in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

-          Development of plans, actions, and projects in line with European Union directives and recommendations.

Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation:

-          Preparation and implementation of international treaties and agreements;

-          Activities related to the assumption and implementation of obligations under agreements with other countries on social protection and unemployment insurance;

-          Planning and development of conditions for the employment of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina working abroad, as well as opportunities for their return and employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

-          Other tasks related to the employment of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina abroad and foreign nationals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Department for Domestic Labour Market

Labour Market Analysis and Development:

-          Improvement of the employment system and coordination of employment activities;

-          Coordination of employment services in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina to increase employment levels;

-          Implementation of general labour market policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

-          Analysis and proposal of macroeconomic labour market policy measures in the field of employment aimed at increasing employment and ensuring non-discrimination;

-          Mobilisation of additional resources for the implementation of labour market policies;

-          Harmonisation of social protection policies and unemployment insurance policies;

-          Monitoring, analysis, and dissemination of information to the public and international organisations on the labour market and labour market policies in the country;

-          Maintenance of labour market records, statistics, documentation, and information services;

-          Labour market analysis, research, and development, including supply and demand and emerging occupations;

-          Maintenance of Bosnia and Herzegovina-level records based on reports from the Entities and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina on employment, unemployment, and the exercise of social insurance rights, and preparation of reports for relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cooperation with Market-Oriented Agencies and Funds:

-          Training, education, and retraining centres for unemployed persons;

-          Agencies for the development of micro and macro entrepreneurship;

-          Funds supporting employment and job creation and maintaining existing employment levels;

-          Funds supporting employment in underdeveloped and lagging regions.