Friday, 10th October 2025

Rise in Foreign Workforce Fills Gaps in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Industries

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is witnessing a notable increase in the employment of foreign workers, a trend particularly prominent in the construction sector. 

This shift is attributed to the emigration of local labor to more lucrative opportunities in the European Union.

Statistics from the Service for Affairs with Foreigners reveal a progressive rise in the issuance of work permits to foreign nationals. The year 2021 saw 2,319 permits issued, which rose to 2,619 in 2022. In a striking uptick, from January to November of the current year, 3,058 permits have been granted.

The primary contributors to this growing foreign workforce are Turkey, Serbia, India, China, and Nepal, with the most significant numbers being from Turkey and Serbia in the past two years. Interestingly, 2023 also saw individual work permits issued to nationals from diverse countries including the Aland Islands, Angola, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and the Solomon Islands.

This year, there’s been a request for over 10,000 work permits for foreign employees, as stated by Mario Nenadic, the director of the FBiH Employers’ Association. Industries facing the most significant labor shortages include wood, metal, chemical sectors, as well as services and catering.

The trend, noticeable over the last decade, shows a consistent reliance on workers from Turkey, Serbia, and Croatia. However, a recent surge in employees from Nepal and Bangladesh has been observed. This pattern is expected to persist, driven by the continuing migration of domestic workers abroad.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

Photo sourceUnsplash

Zuckerberg Predicts Mobile Phones Will Disappear by 2030

TThis is inevitable as new technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) devices reshape how people...

ProCredit Launches ProConnect Platform

The platform is the first of its kind in the region, offering firms the ability to present their products...

Switzerland Tops Global Innovation Ranking, China Enters Top 10

China has entered the top 10 for the first time, taking the 10th spot and replacing Germany, which fell...

Meta, Google, Microsoft Pay Top AI Experts Up to $300K

Meta, Google, and Microsoft offer top researchers up to $300,000 annually—and up to $1.5M over four years. Meta recently...

World First: Albania Elevates AI to Ministerial Rank

In a world first, Albania has appointed an artificial intelligence system to ministerial rank. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities