Bosnian drivers and truckers promising to block the border against the actions of the European Union

Blockades on the borders of the country are to be put in place on April 28 if they do not get adequate response to their demands. There were about 500 truckers who took the streets of Sarajevo in honks and obnoxious noises due to deep frustration in Monday, 27 March 2023.

Bosnia’s transport sector is not small. More than 47,000 jobs are linked to it, and the annual turnover is approximately 4 billion euros. However, according to Velibor Peulic president of the Logistika group which brings together 600 trucking companies in the country, the industry is a serious one.

Among its issues, one is certainly worth mentioning: The European Union allows only a stay of 90 days in the region within 180 days for Bosnian truck drivers. After three months of working inside the EU, drivers have to leave, making it most difficult for companies to have a smooth operation.

Because of this norm, many Bosnian companies have begun transferring their operations to neighboring EU countries such as Croatia and Slovenia. Other drivers are also leaving the country in search of better work opportunities.

Fuel tax refund and speed-up of border checks are some of the other demands by truckers. Delays and paper-based processes eat into their time and profits, something they believe could be solved with the means of a more digitalized system.