PRESS RELEASE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNION UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA

As the president of the Trade Union Organization of the University of Zenica (SO UNZE), I strongly deny the false and malicious allegations that have appeared in public, according to which the Trade Union allegedly supports the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton in adopting amendments to the Law on Higher Education of the Zenica-Doboj Canton.

As the President of the UNZE Municipal Assembly, I particularly condemn the gross abuse of the meeting of the Trade Union Negotiation Team with representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Zenica Canton, at which the Minister Mr. Mušija was also present, held in connection with the amendments to the Collective Agreement for the field of higher education, and at which no one gave any consent regarding the amendments to the Law on Higher Education of the Zenica Canton. In this regard, representatives of the authorities have deliberately presented untruths, all with the aim of misleading the public and discrediting the Trade Union Organization of the University of Zenica, which they have been doing for months now.

As the president of SO UNZE, I emphasize that the trade union organization did not at any time support the proposals for changes to the Law on Higher Education ZDK, about which none of the competent authorities ever informed us, nor did the said change to the Law go through a transparent and inclusive consultation process. Any violation of democratic procedures and manipulation of such processes is unacceptable, and the Union will always protect the interests of its members and the academic community.

As the President of the UNZE Municipal Assembly, I call on the authorities in the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the ZDC to stop spreading disinformation and abusing their positions and official meetings to create a false impression of support that does not exist. I also demand a public apology for these incorrect and harmful actions. I ask the media that reported the false news to publish a denial as soon as possible, and to consult with the same in the future before publishing any news regarding the UNZE Municipal Assembly.

As the President of the UNZE SO, I remain firmly committed to fighting for the rights of my members, preserving academic values and the principles of transparency, and in this regard, I will not tolerate any attempts to manipulate or discredit our organization, including this shameful move by the authorities regarding disinforming the public and representatives in the ZDK Assembly.

In Zenica, 19.12.2024.

Sincerely! PRESIDENT OF SO UNZE

Ajdin Huseinspahić, c. prof.