# Balkan labor market and sick leave abuse

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-labor-market-and-sick-leave-abuse
> Updated: 2026-09-02T18:11:25.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 4.

Labor markets in the Balkan region continue to face challenges regarding workforce availability and systemic sick leave abuse. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, employers struggle with widespread sick leave abuse. Safudin Čengić, President of the Economic-Social Council, previously highlighted cases where 800 out of 1,000 employees in a single company utilized sick leave within a year. While new regulations for stricter verification await administrative approval, significant discrepancies in parental leave policies have emerged between entities. In Republika Srpska, parents can take up to 30 days of sick leave for children under 15, or 14 days for older children. Conversely, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina allows up to four months of sick leave per calendar year for children under 15, with potential extensions for severe congenital or degenerative diseases.

Broader systemic issues persist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where business leaders argue that current employment policies fail to distinguish between active job seekers and those on unemployment registries for other reasons. Minister of Labor and Social Policy Adnan Delić has recently addressed these critical failures, noting that employment records remain inaccurate. He emphasized that the adoption of the Law on Employment Mediation and Social Security for Unemployed Persons is a necessary prerequisite for further legislative support. Currently, approximately 246,000 people are listed as unemployed in the Federation, even as employers report difficulties finding workers.

In Serbia, labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, and services persist. Data from the first half of 2025 shows high demand for masons, mechanics, and drivers, leading to significant wage increases and a trend of retirees returning to the workforce to meet demand. In Croatia, the government has attempted to address shortages by opening the market to retirees.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Bosnia and Herzegovina faces political and labor market challenges

Bosnia and Herzegovina faces political stagnation ahead of 2026 elections and labor market challenges, including inaccurate unemployment data and stalled employment mediation legislation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-faces-political-and-labor-market-challenges

### 2026-08-29: Labor market shifts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Labor markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia face evolving trends, including the rise of multiple job-holding and efforts to integrate retirees into the workforce to combat shortages.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/labor-market-shifts-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-and-croatia

### 2026-08-22: Labor market trends show worker shortages and sick leave abuse

Labor markets face dual pressures: a shortage of skilled workers in Serbia is driving retirees back to work, while widespread sick leave abuse is causing organizational issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/labor-market-trends-show-worker-shortages-and-sick-leave-abuse

### 2026-08-09: Republika Srpska faces rising sick leave abuse

Sick leave abuse is rising in Republika Srpska, with over 6,000 workers on leave monthly. Employers are increasingly requesting inspections due to the financial impact on the business sector.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/republika-srpska-faces-rising-sick-leave-abuse

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Cite as: Balkan labor market and sick leave abuse. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-labor-market-and-sick-leave-abuse