Representatives of “Integral inženjering“ a.d. (JSC) Laktaši attended the final workshop of the project “ Women in Road Construction Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina“, which was organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Office in Sarajevo and held on February 28, 2023 in Sarajevo. On this occasion, the results of almost three years of work on the implementation of the project were presented, which ultimate goal is the application of policies of equal opportunities and gender equality in the road construction sector.
The project was financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and implemented by the Public Company “Motorways of the Republika Srpska“ d.o.o. (LLC) Banja Luka and Public Company “Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina“ d.o.o. (LLC) Mostar with the support of the consulting company “AETS apave“ from Brussels.
“Integral inženjering“, as the main contractor on the project “Design and Construction of Doboj Bypass on Corridor Vc through the Republia Srpska: section Bridge Rudanka (including the bridge) – tunnel Putnikovo Brdo 2“, is the first construction company in Bosnia and Herzegovina that directly implements this kind of project starting from 2021. For this purpose, we have developed a complete document called “Gender Action Plan (GAP)“, and with expert consulting help and supervision, we successfully implement the planned measures. They include the following: issues of choice and increased employment of women, adaptation of human resources policies, adaptation of work processes to women, creation of working conditions at the construction site adapted to women, promotion and public information campaigns, etc. With its 14.4% of employed women, “Integral inženjering“ is already significantly above the average of employed women in road construction in Bosnia and Herzegovina (6.2%), while around 19% of women are engaged in the Doboj Bypass construction project in various roles.
“Equal and greater participation of women in road construction in conditions of increased awareness of gender equality, in conditions of digitalization and automation of construction machinery, as well as in conditions of social and economic crisis in the region is no longer a question of “yes or no“, but “how“. Working on the preparation and implementation of the Gender Action Plan (GAP), “Integral inženjering“ defined its directions for the development of human resources policies and the strategic development of the company“, said Nikola Radovanović, project coordinator and executive director for marketing of “Integral inženjering“.
In addition to the organizers and project partners, the workshop was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications in the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republika Srpska, the Federal Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology, the companies “Integral inženjering“ and “Hering” d.d. (JSC) Široki Brijeg, as well as representatives of the academic community.
The head of the EBRD resident office in Sarajevo, Mrs. Manuela Nesl, greeted and thanked for the exceptional cooperation in the implementation of this and other projects, which will help in the further development of the market economy and society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mr. Davor Vučković, project manager at Public Company “Motorways of the Republika Srpska“, expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the company is recognized as a socially responsible company, which can serve as an example to others. He emphasized that the employees of Public Company “Motorways of the Republika Srpska“ were not victims of gender discrimination or that women were in a subordinate position compared to men or vice versa. Mr. Vučković emphasized that on positions in the sectors are mostly women, and that he hopes that they will take their positions in the company’s management and supervisory board in the foreseeable future.
Mr. Armin Fejzić, advisor to the general director of Public Company “Motorways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina“, pointed out that such and similar projects are an excellent opportunity to analyze the current situation and possible planning of certain steps in the direction of correcting the observed deficiencies.
Mrs. Marijana Uzelac, a representative of the consulting company “AETS apava“, presented the course and importance of the project for general social development, and praised the contribution of “Integral inženjering“.
“Integral inženjering“ will continue to apply Gender Action Plan (GAP) as its contractual obligation until the end of the project at the end of 2025. But more importantly, most policies and practices already became an integral and permanent part of the company.
