The founding meeting of the “Initiative for Respecting Women’s Human Rights in the Labor Market” was held in Konjic, an activity that is part of the project “Cross-sector Partnership for Human Rights in the Labor Market”. This is a project implemented by the INFOHOUSE Foundation from Sarajevo in cooperation with the “Lara” Foundation from Bijeljina, with financial support from the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The meeting was attended by representatives of prominent BiH civil society organizations, trade unions and chambers of commerce from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the discussion focused on human rights in the labor market, with special emphasis on women’s rights.
– Unfortunately, especially in smaller communities, a woman is condemned when she complains about some form of harassment in the workplace. Due to distrust in the system, women very often do not decide to work on protecting their rights – said Goran Stanković, representative of the Union of Trade Unions of Republika Srpska at the meeting.
One of the goals of the initiative is, among other things, to establish cooperation with BiH business entities in order to reduce discriminatory practices by companies in hiring.
– Businesspeople and employees are not sufficiently informed about this topic. This topic should be expanded to the period of secondary and university education, and even to the family environment. I think it is crucial that children at an earlier age learn what is appropriate and what is not – said Nevenka Jevrić, representative of the Chamber of Commerce of the Brčko District.
The next steps, when it comes to the Initiative, include capacity building as well as an advocacy process so that this topic is placed high on the media and public agenda, and so that citizens become interested in these issues. All this so that the authorities cannot ignore or postpone the necessary political action.
We remind you that, so far, eight business entities have been included in the project, which will have the opportunity to develop integrative transformative policies (protocols, mechanisms, decisions and other procedures for addressing harmful impacts on labor human rights).
