PAY RISES ACROSS PUBLIC SECTOR APPROVED, SPECIAL SESSION CONCLUDES

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 30 /SRNA/ – Today, at a special session, deputies of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted a set of laws increasing salaries for employees in the public sector.

A salary supplement for healthcare workers has been introduced, with the gross amount set at up to 20 percent of the average gross salary paid in Republika Srpska in the previous year. The Government will determine the exact amount and method of payment of the healthcare supplement. Salary coefficients will be increased by varying percentages, with directors of healthcare institutions, their deputies, assistants and advisors receiving a three percent increase. Resident doctors will see a seven percent increase, head nurses with university degrees will receive a 10 percent increase in base salary, while other healthcare employees will receive a five percent increase. A five percent increase in salary coefficients has been approved for all employees in public services, primary and secondary schools, student dormitories, as well as in higher education and student standard sectors. Salaries will be increased by the same percentage for employees in the fields of culture, public administration bodies and judicial institutions. A 10 percent increase in salary coefficients has been adopted for all civil servants and employees of the Ministry of Interior who were not covered by previous wage increases. The adopted laws will enter into force the day after their publication in the Official Gazette. Republika Srpska Finance Minister Zora Vidović said at the special session that BAM 68 million will be allocated from the budget for these purposes. With the adoption of the set of laws, the special session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska was concluded.