Bosnia and Herzegovina workers demand longer paid holidays

Bosnian labour law guarantees a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year, with the possibility of up to 30 days depending on collective agreements and job conditions. Employers must notify employees at least seven days in advance, cannot replace leave with cash except when employment ends, and must continue salary payment during the leave period.

A recent regional survey commissioned by the portal MojPosao.ba found that Bosnian employees currently take an average of 21.6 days of annual leave. Almost 30 days is the amount most respondents would prefer, and 25% would exchange a salary increase for additional days off. Expectations for a year‑end bonus (regresa) were reported by 53% of participants, typically up to 1,000 KM. The study also highlighted differences by company size and ownership: public sector staff enjoy about 24 days, while workers in small domestic private firms receive roughly 19 days.

Despite the legal entitlement, more than 40% of workers say they remain reachable by phone or email while on vacation, and many feel obliged to attend work even when unwell, indicating a gap between statutory rights and workplace practice.