OB WAITING TIMES IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA: DOCTORS, TEACHERS, AND IT ENGINEERS FACE THE SHORTEST DELAYS

In Republika Srpska, doctors, biology and mathematics teachers, and IT engineers experience the shortest waiting times for employment, averaging up to six months. Following them are pharmacy graduates, who typically find jobs within seven months.

According to data from the Employment Bureau of Republika Srpska, the average time for job placement on the unemployment register largely depends on the level of education, the profession, additional skills and qualifications, and the mobility of the job seekers. It also takes into account how actively an individual is seeking employment, the demand for that profession, and the number of unemployed individuals in the same field.

“Analyzing the average waiting time for all unemployed individuals, the data shows that those with higher education wait the least, on average about two years and six months, while semi-skilled workers experience the longest wait, averaging around seven years,” the Employment Bureau told Glas Srpske.

Low-skilled and highly skilled workers, as well as those with higher education, typically wait around six years for employment, while skilled workers wait an average of five years and nine months. Individuals with a secondary education generally wait four years and 11 months.

Graduates in law, economics, primary education, and agricultural engineering wait around two years for employment on average.

“These professions have the highest number of unemployed individuals registered. Employers show a great interest in hiring people with these qualifications, but the influx from the education system leads to a higher average waiting time,” the Employment Bureau explained.

Representatives from the business community argue that these statistics do not reflect the true state of the economy.

"In recent years, anyone who applies for a job usually finds employment relatively quickly, especially those with degrees from technical faculties. There is a significant shortage of such workers, and fewer young people are enrolling in these fields, while the manufacturing industry is desperately in need of this workforce," said Zoran Škrebić, president of the Union of Employers of Republika Srpska, in an interview with Glas Srpske.

Škrebić also emphasized the need for the government and employers to work on making the unemployment register reflect the true state of the labor market.

“We don't believe anyone should be denied certain rights, but only those who are actively seeking jobs should be on the unemployment list. Other benefits should be addressed outside the Employment Bureau. We need a clear and accurate picture of those who are actively looking for work. For instance, the company I represent has reached out to the Bureau multiple times, asking for specific workers, but no one responded to the job postings,” Škrebić concluded.

According to the Employment Bureau's data, 5,391 individuals have registered as unemployed this year, while 2,752 people were removed from the unemployment list after finding employment. Currently, 173 job vacancies are open.