Trade union leaders from the “BWI Country Group 10” met on 17 June 2026 to share key developments affecting workers across Southeast Europe and to prepare for the 6th BWI World Congress in São Paulo, Brazil. Union leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia discussed common challenges facing workers in the construction, building materials, forestry, and wood industries.

The growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the world of work was widely discussed. Serbian unionists stressed the importance of educating workers and trade unions about AI and its potential consequences for employment, skills development, and working conditions. They agreed that unions must proactively engage with technological change to ensure that digitalisation benefits workers rather than undermining decent work and labour rights. The newly adopted ILO Convention 193 was highlighted as an important reference point for engagement with governments at the national level.

The issue of wages was also a key topic of discussion, particularly in North Macedonia, where many workers’ salaries remain insufficient to provide a decent standard of living. Trade union representatives reaffirmed their commitment to securing wage increases through collective bargaining to achieve fairer pay and better working conditions across industries. Participants also highlighted the ongoing challenges of organising workers employed by multinational companies operating across the region, including Enka and Bechtel, and stressed the need for stronger engagement with these companies. They expressed their expectation that BWI will continue to support organising efforts, including through dialogue and strategic engagement with international financial institutions and project financiers involved in major infrastructure projects, to help strengthen workers’ rights and union representation.

Another alarming issue is paid sick leave. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), employers want to reduce the number of paid sick leave days, arguing that the system is being abused. Trade unions reject this approach, noting that where abuse occurs, they often involve employers themselves, including cases where workers on sick leave are informally employed elsewhere. Participants emphasised that any reform must strengthen, rather than weaken, workers’ health and social protection rights, especially in countries already facing shortages of skilled workers.

The meeting was likewise informed about the implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive in Croatia. The new rules require employers to disclose salary ranges in job advertisements, prohibit questions about applicants’ previous pay, and introduce stronger reporting obligations regarding gender pay gaps. Trade unions highlighted pay transparency as an important tool in the fight against discrimination and for fairer wages, with many employers already seeking guidance on how to comply with the new requirements.

Beyond these, BWI affiliates exchanged experiences on collective bargaining, labour migration, occupational safety and health, and organising workers in multinational companies. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and coordination ahead of the 6th BWI World Congress. The discussions reflected a shared determination among BWI affiliates in the region to defend workers’ rights while preparing for the challenges and opportunities created by technological change, demographic shifts, and evolving labour markets.