2005年-世界发展银行全球_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina___Labor_Market_Update_The_Role_of_Industrial_Relations_152页_17mb

Summary of Bosnia and Herzegovina Labor Market Update: The Role of Industrial Relations

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank, provides an analysis of labor market dynamics in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) with a focus on the role of industrial relations. It outlines key labor market challenges, identifies recent trends, and proposes policy directions for reform.

Key Labor Market Challenges

• High wages relative to productivity in the formal sector.
• Large and growing informal sector with many workers not covered by social insurance.
• Persistent high unemployment, exceeding 20% in both Entities.

Main Findings

1. Labor Market Characteristics

• Employment Trends: BH has seen continuous GDP growth (around 4-5% annually since 2000), which has led to employment creation. However, this has not significantly reduced unemployment.
• Informal Employment: The informal sector has grown, accounting for 42% of total employment in BH by 2004, with higher concentrations in agriculture and construction.
• Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR): LFPR increased from 48% in 2001 to 59% in 2004, indicating a more active labor market.
• Formal Sector Employment: Formal sector employment increased from 635,000 to 675,000 between 2001 and 2004, despite the decline in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) employment.

2. Wages and Labor Costs

• Wage Growth: Nominal wage growth has been faster in the RS than in the FBH.
• Minimum Wages: The FBH minimum wage is set at 55% of the average wage, while the RS minimum wage is at a non-binding low level.
• Tax Wedge: The tax wedge (payroll deductions for social insurance and taxes) is relatively low in BH compared to ECA and OECD countries.
• Earnings Disparities: There are significant differences in earnings across industries, with the RS manufacturing sector showing strong productivity and wage growth, while the FBH has seen a decline in productivity.

3. Industrial Relations Framework

• Collective Agreements: These agreements often set more generous worker entitlements than labor laws, but enforcement is inconsistent.
• Trade Unions and Employers' Associations: Trade unions are concentrated in the public and mass privatized sectors, while employers' associations dominate the de novo private sector.
• Employment Protection Legislation: The labor laws provide strong protections for workers, which may contribute to the growth of the informal sector.
• Regulatory Gaps: There are gaps in labor legislation, particularly regarding layoffs and the use of workbooks for tracking social insurance contributions.

Key Policy Recommendations

1. Create a leaner but more enforceable set of labor regulations to improve flexibility and reduce informality.
2. Review the system of payroll contributions to ensure they are fair and sustainable.
3. Review collective bargaining and wage determination to align with economic realities and improve efficiency.
4. Facilitate labor adjustment by introducing policies that allow for temporary layoffs and reduce the flow of "fictitious" workers.
5. Improve the statistical basis for labor market analysis to better inform policy decisions.

Observations on Industrial Relations

• Collective Agreements: While they are not fully binding in practice, they can still have a significant impact on specific industries and sectors.
• Regulatory Evasion: There is evidence of regulatory evasion, particularly in the private sector, where compliance with collective agreements is limited.
• Informality: The presence of informal employment is partly due to the rigidity of labor regulations and the lack of enforcement.
• Social Insurance: The RS includes non-wage allowances in the base for social insurance contributions, unlike the FBH.

Data and Methodology

• The report uses survey data (LSMS) and administrative data for analysis.
• There are data limitations and measurement errors, especially in employment data.
• A planned annual Labor Force Survey from 2006 is expected to improve data quality.

International Context

• The report draws on international experiences with collective bargaining and labor market reforms.
• It emphasizes the need for harmonization of labor regulations between the two Entities and with regional standards.

Conclusion

Bosnia and Herzegovina's labor market is characterized by high wages relative to productivity, a growing informal sector, and persistent unemployment. While there are some signs of improvement, systemic reforms are needed to enhance labor market flexibility and reduce informality. The report recommends a more dynamic and enforceable regulatory framework, improved data collection, and alignment with international best practices in industrial relations.