SIGNING OF THE ''PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION'' BETWEEN LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF MONTENEGRO

On invitation by Employment Service of Montenegro, a delegation of Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina paid a visit to Employment Service of Montenegro in March 2008.

Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Employment Service of Montenegro signed the ''Protocol of Cooperation'' on 20 March 2008 in the premises of Employment Service of Montenegro.  Major objective of the signed Protocol is mutual cooperation in the field of employment between the two countries, with particular focus on recruitment of workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina by Montenegrin employers.

More than 80,000 foreign workers were employed in Montenegro in 2007, 10,000 of which were from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This year, 140,000 new demands for manpower have been announced, notably in construction, catering and tourism..

The signed Protocol will allow the nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina to exercise the same rights stemming from employment as local workers in Montenegro, and get employment easier and safer through institutional setups of the two countries.

ROUND TABLE „ACTIVE AND PASSIVE  EMPLOYMENT POLICY MEASURES ON THE LABOUR MARKET“
JAHORINA, BISTRICA HOTEL, 13 DECEMBER 2007

Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a Round Table on topic ''Active and Passive Employment Policy Measures on the Labour Market'', held on 13 December 2007 at Jahorina.  Besides the organizers, the Round Table was attended by PES representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia, an OHR representative, representatives of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, of the Council of Ministers' Directorate for Economic Planning and representatives of international organisations present in BiH.

The opening speech was followed by presentations of each country on Active and Passive Employment Policy Measures implemented in the previous period and comments on implemented measures and activity plans for the future period.

A discussion ensued after presentations involving all participants of the Round  Table who adopted the following conclusions:

INTRODUCTION OF THE ISO 9001:2000 STANDARD IN THE WORK OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OF BIH

            In accordance with agreed tempo of activities, an external audit was carried out in the Agency in the period 09-10 October 2007 for the purpose of acquiring the ISO 9001:2000 certificate.  To that effect, audit system interviews were conducted in the Agency on all counts of external audit schedule.  

After the audit, a meeting was held between the Managemet of the Agency and the audit team which presented us with conclusions of the audit and  made record thereof stating:'' Based on the findings of this audit, the audit team finds that QMS has been implemented and is sustainable; therefore, it recommends to the BOSCERT and QA Managements (certificate issuers) to issue a valid certificate to the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the QMS established in line with requests of BAS EN ISO 9001:2000 standards.''

WORKSHOP ON TOPIC ''STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF LABOUR MARKET INSTITUTIONS TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYMENT POLICY PRIORITIES AND TO PLAN ACTION''
TURIN, 08-12 October 2007

At invitation of the International Training Centre of the ILO and the ILO's Sub-regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe, representatives of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the workshop on topic ''Strengthening the Capacity of Labour Market Institutions to Identify Employment Policy Priorities and to Plan Action'', held in the framework of the international capacity building programme for employment policy experts.  This project has been developed under the auspices of the Initiative for Social Cohesion of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.  The atendees were representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and the Province of Kosovo under the UN administration.  The Workshop was chaired by Mr. Gianni Rosas, Senior Employment Specialist and Ms. Valli Corbanese, Advisor in the ILO's Sub-Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe.

            The aim of the workshop was to discuss with the ILO's representatives the recommendations of CREP, identify employment policy priority measures and determine joint elements for regional cooperation on employment policy.  The workshop was organized on interactive basis, through presentations on PES operations, identification of priorities in this field of the countries in the region, analysis of active employment policies, discussions with representatives of the International Labour Organization on human resources development in PES, passive labour market measures, as well as on development of employment strategies and action plans in participating countries and through exchange of experiences among experts.  Workshop participants had the assignment of developing a workplan for the implementation of national employment policy priorities through identifying problems in the field of employment and political priorities and challenges, and setting up objectives in this field.

            Towards the end of the workshop, participants proposed regional cooperation modalities on employment policy and future priority areas of cooperation.  The proposed cooperation modalities and outcomes of the capacity building programme in South Eastern Europe will be presented at the meeting of the Permanent High-Level Committee of the Stability Pact, to be held in October in Montenegro.

CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO, CROATIA, MACEDONIA, SERBIA AND SLOVENIA,
ČATEŽ, 14-15 SEPTEMBER 2007  

On invitation of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia representatives of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the Conference of Employment Services of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia, held in Čatež, on 14-15 September 2007.

The Conference was venue for exchange of expert opinions on reports on ''National Employment Policies'' of the attending countries, which will be reviewed, on Initiative of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, at the Ministerial Conference of the Western Balkan countries in Montenegro, in October this year.

The Conference was also venue for specific discussion and exchange of experience on efficiency of implementation of active employment measures aiming to boost employment. Labour market institutions from all countries have achieved best results in employment of young unemployed persons, which is entirely in line with the European Employment Strategy and Lisbon Guidelines.

National Employment Services attending the Conference reiterated their willingness to exchange all quality experiences from this field, particularly statistical data from the field of labour and employment.

In the course of the Conference, the delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H had a series of bilateral meetings with Employment Services of Montenegro, Republic of Croatia and Serbia.  The talks held with the Employment Service of Montenegro referred to the Agency's initiative to consider the signing of the Agreement on Recruitment of Workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in Montenegro, which was agreed by the Montenegrin Employment Service.  The talks held with the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia were focused on activities realized in implementation of the CARDS Twinning Light Project titled ''Strengthening of the Institutional Capacity of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina'' funded by the EU.  It was recognized that all projected activities from the Action Program, adopted by the Steering Board, were enfolding at the very top level with two trainings of expert staff already completed.   Further talks with the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia referred to the issue of ''Agreement on Recruiment of Workers from Bosnia  and Herzegovina in the Republic of Slovenia''.  The Director of the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H informed the attendees about activities which had been successfully completed in order to prepare the proposed agreement for adoption by the Governments of the two countries at the earliest possible stage.  He pointed out that the agreement had been a topic of discussion among the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Janez Janša, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Repubic of Slovenia, Mr. Dimitrije Rupel, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj at the Bled Conference, followed by consensus on necessity of the agreement as the best approach by employers from the Republic of Slovenia in recruiting workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina with adequate qualificational structure which the labour market of the Republic of Slovenia is short of.   

MEETING WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF EMPLOYERS FOR CRAFT ACTIVITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, CELJE, 17 SEPTEMBER 2007

On invitation of the President of the Association of Employers for Craft Activities of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Škapin, and the Secretary General of the Association, Mr. Igor Antauer, a delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H attended the Confernce of Employers' Association of the Republic of Slovenia-GIZ, held on 17 September 2007 in Celje.  On this occasion, a tripartite ''Protocol on Mutual Cooperation'' was signed by the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H, Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia and the Association of Employers for Craft Activities of the Republic of Slovenia.

The signing of the Protocol was attended, on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by His Excellency, the Ambasador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Izmir Talić, Consul General, Ms. Sanja Eminović, and representatives of the printed media and TV.  Upon the signing of the Protocol, the Ambasador of Bosnia and Herzegovina thanked all attendees for their support and suggested for the two states to sign the ''Agreement on Recruitment of Workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republic of Slovenia'' at the earliest possible stage.

            Director of the Labour and Emplyoment Agency of B&H thanked the organizors for inviting the delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina in such composition as a guest of the Conference.  He stressed the fact that the best way for employers from Slovenia in establishing communication and recruiting the lacking skilled labour, necessary for their faster development, was through the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H as a state-level institution.  He stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina presently had many skilled unemployed persons, the situation which would not go on long because Bosnia and Herzegovina would start recruiting its own good-quality skilled labour due to accelerated economic growth.

The signing of the tripartite Protocol will result in recruitment of workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in line with the Labour Law of the Republic of Slovenia, and in accelerated procedure in the issuance of work permits.  This is why he particularly underlined the initiative launched by the two countries with a view to sign the bilateral ''Agreement on Recruitment of Workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republic of Slovenia'' as a best way of quality control over labour force between the two countries and supression of the grey economy.  In this way, the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia and the Labour and Emplyoment Agency of B&H would entirely and in a quality manner meet the labour requirements of the Slovene employers.  The President and the Secretary General of the Association of Employers for Craft Activities of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Milan Škapin and Mr. Igor Antauer, gave, on behalf of the Association, their full support to the proposed initiative for the signing of the bilateral agreement on recruitment between the two countries which would facilitate Slovene employers to recruit adequate skilled labour from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the shortest time possible.

During the Conference, representatives of the Labour and Employment Agency of B&H met with a number of employers already faced with the need to recruit labour force from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  It was agreed that all interested employers send their labour force requests and terms of work contracts at the address of the Agency which will enable the Agency to organize employment mediation for the unemployed  in accordance with employers' requests.

STUDY VISIT TO THE AUSTRIAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

In the period from 11 to 15 June 2007, representatives of employment institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation Employment Service, Employment Service of Republika Srpska and Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH) made a study visit to the Austrian Employment Service (AMS), Vocational Training Centres and secondary vocational schools in Austria.

The purpose of the visit was to gain knowledge on organization, operation and achievements of AMS and, notably, on the training and retraining approaches for the unemployed in Vocational Training Centres and possibililties of implementing these experiences in employment services of Bosnia and Herzegovina..

SECOND PES CONFERENCE OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

A Delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH attended the Second PES Conference of SEE Countries, held in Belgrade from May 31 to June 01 2007.  ''Guidelines for Work of the PES Centre of SEE Countries'' were signed at the Conference.  The Guidelines were signed by Directors of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Employment Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria, Employment Agency of Montenegro, Croatian Employment Service, National Employment Agency of the Republic of Romania, Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia, National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia and Turkish Employment Organisation.

Establishment of the Centre is the most effective way to overcome barriers in the labour market of concerned countries and to exchange good practice and experiences.  It is the outcome of permanent iniciatives of bilateral and multilateral cooperation which the signatory countries have had so far, as well as of commitment and recommendations included in initiatives and documents of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe, International Labour Organisation, the Council of Europe, Bucharest Process, World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES) aiming at closer interrelationships in the field of employment policy among the countries of this region.

Working part of the Conference was devoted to the topic titled: ''Youth Employment and Labour Migrations'' where the delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH took an active part with a presentation on topic ''Good Practice in Youth Employment in BiH''.

VISIT TO THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE BRČKO DISTRICT OF BIH

On June 07 2007,  a delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH paid an official visit to the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH and held a meeting with its representatives.  On behalf of the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH, the meeting was attended by Mr. Nenadić Mladenko, Director, and Mr. Vuković Milovan, Deputy Director.

Mr. Nenadić Mladenko underlined that since January 01 2007 the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH has been functioning independently in terms of organisation, personnel and material.   The framework of the Public Administration Reform in the Brčko District of BiH has proposed a model of organisational structure for the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH envisaging  posts for 14 employees in the Service.  Furthermore, it was stressed that during 2006 the Service was working on implementation of the Act on Job Placement and Rights in the Event of Unemployment of the Brčko District of BiH, and discharging its commitments regularly and in accordance with the Law.  The sources of funding for the Service come from the unemployment insurance contributions in the amount of 1.5 per cent of gross salary of employed persons, and from funds earmarked by the Government of the Brčko District of BiH.  In 2006, the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH  paid out pecuniary compensations for a total of 232 unemployed persons, while entitlement to health care benefits for the unemployed was used by 10,046 beneficiaries or 837 beneficiaries in monthly averages.

As to the Active Employment Policy Measures  implemented by the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH in 2006, it is worth mentioning that 1,168 persons were recruited from the register of  the Employment Serivce of the Brčko District of BiH, of which 334 through support to employers' programmes of new employment.  Grants in the amount of KM 1,088,000.00 were allocated for the implementation of 38 programmes obliging employer to keep the number of his employees unreduced for the next two years.  The 2007 Work programme envisages to resume realization of this programme, with plans to implement the Placing Trainees Programme.  Furthermore, there are Prep Programmes for the Labour Market which should include trainig, re-training or upgrading of 500 persons for the known employer.  The trainings would include foreign language course, PC course and training courses in book-keeping / accountancy.

The representatives of the Agency approved of the Serivce's option for Prep Programmes for the Labour Market and it was stressed that the Service should design programmes for other target groups in the labour market (youth, ageing labour force, long-term unemployed persons).  It was also stressed that an excellent opportunity to approach active employment policy is through organisation of job fairs and that the Agency could lend all necessary expert assistance to the Employment Service of the Brčko District of BiH in their organisation.   Representatives of the Service pointed out that their 2007 Work programme did envisage organisation of a job fair in Brčko planned as a side event to the Economic Fair of the Brčko District of BiH.  In that regard, they stressed they were planning to start with prep activities in September and that they would ask necessary expert assistance from the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH.

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT
 IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
STRASBOURG, 09 – 11 MAY 2007

On invitation by Directorate General III – Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe with its head office in Strasbourg, representatives of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH attended the international seminar on access to employment in South-East European countries for vulnerable groups.  Besides representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the seminar was attended by representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

In its first day, the seminar was organized through sessions and workshops.  The introductory session was opened by Alexander Vladychenko, Director General of Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe.  The introductory session was followed by sessions with following topics: ''Involvment of the Council of Europe in South-East Europe'', ''Vulnerable Groups and Employment in South-East Europe'', ''Activation Policies and Impact on the Vulnerable Groups'', and workshops on access to employment focused on three vulnerable groups (informal workers, Roma and long-term unemployed persons).  Bosnia-Herzegovina Delegation registered for participation in the working group which dealt with the topic ''Long-term Unemployment''.  The moderator of the said group was Mr. Franz Gundacker from the ILO.

Upon its work, the working group presented the joint position as an answer to three key questions coming from Mr. Gundacker: how does one become chronically unemployed, how to account for the long duration of unemployment record of some persons and what can institutions do to achieve improvement in this area.

The question how to face challenges and the fact that discrimination can be measured with great difficulties and that there is a huge problem in collecting data related to employment of most vulnerable groups, which was subject of a quite detailed discussion, points to complexity and gravity of the problem.  One of the key conclusions of the seminar was  the fact that employment policy has to be restructured, that employability reduces vulnerability, that PES have to operate in coordination, that discrimination at work has to be combated, that monitoring policy has to be more efficient, and that guidance of each unemployed person has to be done individually.

The second day of the seminar dealt with reports from the workshop and future development strategies in South-East Europe, while the closing panel refered to the topic of strategy for future: economic evolution in South-East Europe and employment perspectives.

MEETING OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPEAN PES DIRECTORS
AND THE WORKSHOP OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND ARABIAN COUNTRIES REGION OF WAPES ON TOPIC ''APPROACHES AND SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS OF PROFESSIONAL INSERTION OF THE YOUNG''

On invitation by WAPES Secretariat for the Middle East and Arabian Countries Region, a delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the meeting of South-East European PES Directors and Workshop of the Middle East and Arabian Countries Region of WAPES on topic ''Accesses and Successful Programs of Professional Insertion of the Young'', held from 16 to 20 May 2007 in Ouarzazate, Morrocco.

The meeting started with the introductory session and welcoming address of Mr. Hafid KAMAL, Vice-President of the Middle East & Arabic Countries Region and Director-General of ANAPEC, followed by the speeches of Mr. Mustapha MANSOURI, Minister of Employment and Professional Training and Mr. Christian CHARPY, President of WAPES.  Thereupon followed the meeting of South-East European PES Directors chaired by Mr. Patrick VENIER, Executive Secretary of WAPES Region Europe.  The discussion that followed considered the possibilities of establishing a regional centre of WAPES for that region.  The reason for this topic was due to a number of activities underway in this part of Europe, but also to the exceptional commitment of these PES.  Nevertheless, it was decided to wait with this initiative until the next General Assembly, because establishment of one such centre has to be included in the Statute and Operational Procedures of WAPES.

The second day, according to the Agenda drafted by the organizers, started with the Workshop on topic ''Approaches and Successful Programs of Professional Insertion of the Young'' with two general themes forseen for working groups discussion:

1)   ''Salaried Employmen''

There were nine presentations delivered on topic of „Salaried Employment'' which refered to Youth Employment Programs in certain countries.  One of the presentations was from representatives of the Labour and Employment Agency of BiH entitled ''Approaches and Successful Programs of Professional Insertion of the Young in Bosnia and Herzegovina''.  Presentations were followed by discussion which focused on good practice of participating countries in realization of these programs, as well as on specific problems of individual countries. 

The third working day was reserved for four presentations on topic of ''Self-employment'' which refered to Youth Self-employment Programs of  respective countries.  The presentations were followed by discussion wherein representatives of the participating countries presented good practice in realization of these programs and gave answers to questions.

According to the Agenda, the fourth day was reserved for the closing session which presented the following conclusions:

- all PES need to have the closest possible cooperation and create as many programs which will include the young;

- national PES need to cooperate as often as possible in order to be able to implement programs of other national PES which match their circumstances;

- national PES need to forsee  those problems within their programs which may cause certain risks in their implementation;

- WAPES should be used as a medium of excellent opportunities for discussion and exchange of opinions, as well as of good practice of all its members;

- all PES from the Middle East and Arabian Countries Region should get involved to the greatest extent possible in contacts with all other Employment Institutions in order to acquire good practice and experience.

VISIT TO THE CROATIAN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

On invitation by the Croatian Employment Service and the Employment Service of Republic of Slovenia, the delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina paid visits to these two institutions and held discussions concerning cooperation in the field of labour and employment.

As part of the visit to the Croatian Employment Service on 16 April 2007, the delegation held discussions on Croatian experiences from negotiations with EU experts regarding labour market progress in Republic of Croatia and legislation harmonization from this field.

Within the visit to the Employment Service of Republic of Slovenia in the period 17 – 18 April 2007, the discussion focused on:

Following the discussion, conclusions were adopted as follows:

On invitation by the Director General of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia, the delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the opening of a Job Fair in Brežice on April 19 2007, organized by the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia.  This Fair was organized by the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia on the basis of experiences transferred by the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was stated in the introductory speech of Director General of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia, Ms. Marija Poglajen, at the Fair opening ceremony.

 PREPARATORY MEETING
for preparation of the Second conference ''Good practice and promotion of South East European PES cooperation''

In the period between 05th and 6th April 2007, a preparatory meeting concerning the Second conference titled ''Good practice and promotion of South East European PES cooperation'' was held in Mostar.  The aim of the meeting was to reach an agreement regarding legislation on establishing ''South East European Centre for exchange of experience between South East European countries PES''.

The meeting was attended by PES representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia.  The meeting's agenda was as follows:

Following conclusions were adopted at the meeting:

WAPES REGION EUROPE EXPERT GROUP MEETING

On invitation of WAPES Secretariat from Brussels and Mr. Günter Schauenberg, WAPES Vice-President for Region Europe, a representative of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the WAPES Region Europe Expert Working Group meeting, held on March 16th 2007 in Brussels.

In November 2006, WAPES Managing Board adopted the decision to start with preparation of ''Peer Review'' elaboration by individual positive activities of national employment services/agencies in Region Europe, as a new form of cooperation between WAPES members.

Since Peer review topics as well as metodology for their implementation had not been defined, WAPES Secretariat set up a Working Group, which will include a representative of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina as one of its members.

The following agenda was considered at the Expert Working Group Meeting:

1.     How should the target of a peer review made by WAPES members be formulated?  What are the expected results and what is the expected added value for WAPES members?
2.     What kinds of chosen methods will lead to targeted results?  How should the process be organized?
3. Which concrete content is suitable for a pilot scheme adopted by WAPES members?

After a long discussion, the following conclusions were adopted:

1.     The first theme of the Peer Review will be ''ONE STOP SHOP'' (provision of high quality PES services to employers and unemployed persons through mediation process), which will be prepared by the Danish employment service.
2.     Two other themes of the Peer Review are ''Employment Promotion'' and ''Training of the unemployed for a known employer''.
3.     Experts from five countries will take part in preparation of the Peer Review, one of them being from South Eastern Europe.
4. Peer Review metodology was established and adopted.
5.     It was agreed to hold the next WAPES expert team meeting in April in Geneva on topic  Implementation of the  ILO Conventions in the field of labour and employment.

PRELIMINARY MEETING FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ''SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES BETWEEN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES''

On invitation by the National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia, a delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the preliminary meeting related to the Second Directorial Conference for establishment of the Balkan Centre of Public Employment Services (PES) of South East European countries with the topic:''Good Practice and Promotion of Cooperation between the Balkan PES in the light of Euro-Atlantic Integration'', held in the period from 25 to 28 February 2007.

The preliminary meeting was attended by PES representatives of: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Monte Negro, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, Slovenia, Serbia, and representatives of the ILO and the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

The joint agreement was to modify the proposed title ''The Balkan Centre'' into ''South East European Centre for Exchange of Experiences between Public Employment Services of the South East European Countries''.  It was agreed that the main activity of this Centre be design of ''Statistical Information Booklet from the field of labour of the South East European countries''.  The Booklet would contain statistical data from the field of labour and employment comparable between the countries.  It was proposed to issue the Statistical Information Booklet every six months.  It was also agreed to set up a joint South East European countries PES web site with a view to jointly promote the Centre.

Following the preliminary meeting, the Directors of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia signed on 28 February 2007 in Belgrade the ''Operational Protocol''  related to the ''Social Security Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia''.  The contents of the form verifying the insurance periods taken into account in case of entitlement to unemployment benefits was agreed upon in this Protocol between the two states.

The delegation of the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovian paid visit to the regional branch office of the National Employment Service of the Republic of Serbia in Belgrade where they were presented with the operation of the Informational Program ''Job Bank'' which assists job seekers in finding companies with announced vacancies and in demand of employing persons with adequate vocations and skills.

ROUND TABLE
„EXPERIENCES IN EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGNERS“
Sarajevo, 20.12.2006

The Round Table on topic Experiences in Employment of Foreigners was held on 20 December 2006 in Sarajevo in the organization of the the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the first Round Table dealing with this topic.  

The Round Table was attended by the participants of the National Employment Agencies – Services of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia, representatives of the OHR, International Organization for Migration, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Security, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, Entities' Ministries responsible for the field of labour and employment, Entities' Employment Services and Employment Service of the Brčko District, as well as the representatives of the Cantonal ministries in charge of labour and employment, Cantonal Employment Services and the media representatives.  The attendants had the opportunity to introduce themselves with different legal arrangements in this field in the countries of the region, their specific characteristics, work permits issuing procedures and results achieved in this field.

After a very interesting and dynamic discussion the following conclusions were adopted:

1. To bring in line the existing entity by-laws on employment of foreigners with the Law on Movement and Residence of Foreigners and Asylum.  

2. To organize within the shortest time-frame a joint meeting of the representatives of the Ministry of Security, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Employment Services of BiH entities, Employment Service of the Brčko District and of responsible entity ministries of BiH entities on the issue of discussing amendments to the Law on Movement and Residence of Foreigners and Asylum.

3. To consider the possibility of regulating the employment of foreigners on the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Labour and Employment Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated and submitted the Predraft Law on Employment of Foreigners in Bosnia and Herzegovina via the Ministry of Civil Affairs in May 2005, which envisages the setting of quota in employment of foreigners in compliance with the needs of qualificational structure necessary for faster economic growth of Bosnia and Herzegovina.