Mostar JP Komunalno dismisses 18 Bosniak workers, prompting inspection

In July 2026 the public utility JP Komunalno in Mostar terminated the contracts of 18 Bosniak employees, later adding four more, sparking accusations of ethnic replacement. Mayor Mario Kordić responded on Facebook, saying the dismissals followed lawful disciplinary procedures and rejected claims of political pressure, stating “Djelatnici JP Komunalno koji su odbijali izvršavati zakonite radne naloge dobili su otkaz…”. SDA politician Ibrahim Izetbegović warned that Bosniak workers are being systematically replaced by Croats, saying “Kad god Bošnjak ode u penziju, na njegovo mjesto se uposli Hrvat”. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, led by Minister Adnan Delić, ordered an urgent inspection of the company, citing serious doubts about the legality of the terminations, lack of workers’ right to defence, improper notification, and removal of some employees from mandatory insurance before the termination was finalized. The union representing municipal workers also complained that the dismissals violated the Federation’s labour law. The dispute has heightened ethnic tensions in Mostar and prompted calls for a law on proportional representation in public institutions.