Description
Economic reforms undertaken in peacebuilding interventions over the last three decades were based on neoliberal principles which largely ignored labour rights. Neoliberal reformers have overlooked the potential that relationships between workers belonging to different conflicting parties can have for peacebuilding in conflict-affected societies. The same pattern was followed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where the policies of international intervenors led to a worsened unemployment rate in the country. This increase in the labour market and rising deregulation disempowered the workers and led to gross violations of their rights. Given that the economy of the country was largely divided along ethnic lines, the workers found themselves oppressed by capitalists of the same ethnic background. As the state was reduced to providing the conditions necessary for the uninterrupted functioning of a free market, the workers were forced to turn to trade unions to protect their rights, which, in some instances meant crossing ethno-territorial divisions imposed by the 1990s war. This paper aims to assess the potential of three multi-ethnic trade unions for peacebuilding in BiH, particularly in terms of the relationships established between their members from different ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, this research aims to address the gap in critical peace studies by offering useful insights on how the micro level of workers is affected by policies created at the meso and macro levels. The findings of this research can also offer valuable lessons for addressing the commitments espoused in Our Common Agenda, particularly 3) Promote peace and prevent conflicts, 6) Build trust, and 1) Leave no one behind.
