In the last almost 30 years, Bingo Group has invested over 850 million KM in the domestic market, which makes this group the largest domestic investor. These investments include investments in production, acquisitions, growth and development, technology, and people.
“People are the focus of our activities. With them, we built the strongest domestic business group, which is also the largest domestic investor in the country. We are moving into the future with a clear vision, of which our employees are an indispensable part. Tomorrow, almost 9,000 of them will be paid 1,080 KM of financial support to the accounts of our employees, who have been with us for more than six months and continue to build the company. This means that Bingo as a group will pay almost 10 million KM at the level of the entire country,” said Ljiljana Kunosić, director of Bingo Group, emphasizing that this amount includes part of the corresponding taxes on the amounts that will be paid to the group’s workers in the Republic of Srpska and the District. Brčko.
Retail is the area in which Bingo Group stands out as the largest, with more than 220 sales facilities, around fifty catering facilities, as well as six shopping centers throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to retail, there are 13 production units within Bingo Group, which operate within Bingo, but also as independent production factories.
“Our vision is clear, and that is the vision of the development of the domestic economy and the creation of new jobs, both through the development of Bing, as the largest chain of stores in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and through the acquisition, rescue, and revitalization of domestic companies that were threatened with bankruptcy, such as Dita, Semberka and Majevice. Companies saved from bankruptcy today successfully export their products to foreign markets. Other production companies operate within the group, such as Pivara Tuzla, Duke, Ingram and Kaleteks. ” – said Mrs. Kunosić.
The unquestionable economic contribution of the group to the overall economy of BiH is shown by the fact that annually Bingo Group pays over 51 million KM in taxes and contributions directly related to salary, of which 25 million KM are contributions for pension and disability insurance, and almost 18 million KM are contributions for health insurance.
Edin Ibrahimović, executive director for business operations of Bingo, spoke about the constant improvement of working conditions in Bingo stores.
“We are proud of the fact that our employees have the highest average incomes in the field of traditional trade in BiH, which on average amount to around 1,049 KM net, and 1,429.42 KM gross. This year, we paid employees 350 KM of holiday pay, which with this 1,080 KM represent 1,430 KM of additional income, which is practically more than the 13th salary for our workers,” he pointed out.
Bingo Group representatives pointed out that one-time support is not enough and that it is high time for the state to facilitate the relief of businessmen in favour of workers.
“We, as the largest employer, publicly undertake that we will direct any relief from taxes and contributions to the benefit of the workers. Any reduction in these levies will result in a direct increase in the wages of our workers. Being the largest employer represents a great obligation towards almost 9,000 employees and around 30,000 members of their families. Our individual actions are not the solution, the state’s reaction is needed without delay,” said Mrs. Kunosić.
Andrijana Bukvarević, director of human resources, announced the launch of the “Heart of the Community” Fund, at the initiative of the group’s owner Senad Džambic, which includes providing financial support to sick employees and their family members. The annual budget of the Fund will be 1,000,000 KM.
“The fund is a systematic way to continue helping those who need help the most. This is an additional contribution of the Bingo group to create a working environment as a place where employees feel respected, valued and protected,” said Bukvarević.
The “Heart of the Community” fund will become operational next year.