Bosnia's Federation (FBiH) entity saw a drop in employment by some 20,000 workers since March 16, Labour Minister Vesko Drljaca said Tuesday while talking about the counter-pandemic measures in this entity.

“The number of employees has dropped by 19,861 since March 16. We've asked all the cantonal governments to pay special attention to welfare institutions and vulnerable groups,” Drljaca noted adding that “we're also working on amendments to the Labour Law.”

Following the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia, the country was subdivided into two semi-autonomous entities – the Bosniak-Croat shared Federation (FBiH) and the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska.

With each entity having its own government and competencies, the FBiH was further subdivided into 10 cantons with each having its own entities, budgets and even constitutions.

According to the Labour Minister, the FBiH Employment Institute has significant resources and if they prove insufficient, the FBiH Government will step in to help.

Minister Drljaca told the media that the World Health organisation praised the FBiH government for its timely response and good results in preventing the spread of the pandemic.

“The government also adopted a Draft for economic measures which was submitted to the Parliament,” the Minister noted.

He confirmed that pensions and welfare benefits will not be in question.