BHRT workers union appeals to High Representative: Use Bonn powers to save public service

Kurtovic Pasalic called upon High Representative Schmidt to utilize his mandate and Bonn powers to end the ongoing "agony" of BHRT employees. She emphasized that 60 percent of the workforce currently operates on a minimum wage of 1,000 Bosnian marks (approximately €511), leaving many on the brink of existence. Furthermore, welfare contributions for employees have not been paid for nearly a decade, creating severe obstacles for those reaching retirement age.

The Union President requested that the High Representative order the disbursement of funds to save the national broadcaster, drawing a parallel to his previous intervention regarding the Viaduct debt. She noted that while domestic parliamentarians are responsible for the functioning of the Public Service, they have shown no will to resolve the crisis.

The financial instability stems from a 2017 unilateral decision by Radio Television of Republika Srpska (RTRS) to stop depositing RTV tax proceeds into the unified account, contrary to the law. This disruption of the distribution system has deprived BHRT of its stable funding mechanism. Currently, the debt owed by RTRS to BHRT has reached 103 million marks (approximately €52,662,100).