OSTOJIĆ: GOAL - IMPROVING MATERIAL - SOCIAL POSITION OF VETERANS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 20 /SRNA/ – The main objective of amendments to the Law on Rights of Veterans, Military Invalids, and Families of Fallen Soldiers of the Defensive- Patriotic War is to improve the material and social position of war veteran categories in Republika Srpska, said Minister of Labour, War Veterans and Disabled Persons Protection Radan Ostojić.

"The main reason for adopting this law is the need to improve and advance the social and material status of veteran categories in Republika Srpska," Ostojić said in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, which is reviewing the Bill on Amendments to the Law on Rights of Veterans, Military Invalids, and Families of Fallen Soldiers of the Defensive-Patriotic War under urgent procedure. Ostojić stresses that the legal solution enables the introduction of veteran status for members of the Republika Srpska Krajina Army and all rights deriving from that status. "The base for calculating all monthly and annual benefits defined by the law will be set as a fixed percentage of the average net salary in Republika Srpska from the previous year," Ostojić said. He noted the base for calculating military disability benefits will be set at 72% of the average net salary in Republika Srpska, amounting to BAM 1,116. According to him, the base for calculating veteran allowances and a special financial benefit as a new right introduced by the law is set at 0.327%, which equals BAM 5. A special financial benefit will be granted to veterans aged 65 and over who have no income, except those receiving social welfare benefits and war invalids from categories seven to ten. Under this provision, veterans will receive a double veteran allowance of 10 BAM. Ostojić said that a special financial benefit is also being introduced for former prisoners of war for the time spent in captivity, covering the period from November 21, 1995 to June 19, 1996. "Veterans will also gain the right to spa rehabilitation, which was not previously available, in the same way as war invalids, families of fallen soldiers, and civilian war victims," Ostojić stressed. He says the law also introduces entitlement to identification cards and electronic ID cards for veterans, war invalids, and families of fallen soldiers, as well as priority access to services in public institutions. Ostojić noted that the funds for implementing this law are about 120 million BAM higher than last year. "The budget this year will reach BAM 600 million, and next year the budget for veterans- disability protection will amount to BAM 700 million," Ostojić concluded.