HNK judicial strike continues over salary disputes

A strike by judicial employees in the Hercegovačko-neretvanski Canton (HNK) has entered its second month as negotiations between the Justice Union and the government remain unresolved. The union, led by President Vesna Kojić, is demanding a 20 percent salary supplement for all state officials and employees within the judiciary, citing psychological pressure and security risks associated with the work.

The HNK government has offered a tiered approach, proposing a 20 percent supplement for judge and prosecutor assistants and court bailiffs, and a 10 percent supplement for office staff and land registry assistants. Additionally, the government proposed a 10 percent increase to the base salary for all civil servants starting in 2027. The government maintains that it cannot grant a universal supplement to all judicial staff based solely on their place of employment, citing the need for parity with other administrative bodies.

In response to recent communications from the Ministry of Justice, Administration and Local Self-Government, the Justice Union issued a legal standpoint clarifying that the Ministry’s opinions are advisory and non-binding. The union emphasized that such opinions do not constitute administrative acts and cannot be used to decide on legal rights or obligations, nor can they be subject to administrative appeals.