BAThe article discusses proposed changes to regulations regarding sick leave in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). According to official statistics, the annual sick leave rate in FBiH ranges between 10% and 13%, significantly higher than the European average of 3.5%. Employers, particularly through the Association of Employers of FBiH, highlight that sick leave is most common in labor-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, trade, construction, and services. They argue that excessive and sometimes fraudulent use of sick leave, especially in the public sector during seasonal work periods, imposes a significant financial burden on employers. The proposed amendment aims to revise the Regulation on the Procedure and Criteria for Determining Temporary Incapacity for Work, which does not require parliamentary approval. Employers want to reduce the number of days they cover sick pay from 42 to 15, arguing that longer sick leaves should be covered by public health funds. However, the Social Partners' Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SSSBiH) opposes splitting the costs between employers and health funds, instead advocating for stricter control over doctors approving sick leave.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives—employers' concerns about financial burdens and the need for reform, as well as the opposition from social partners who prefer stricter oversight rather than cost-sharing. It provides direct quotes from both sides without overtly favoring one over the other, so
