If they are ready to shut down something that has been going on for 133 years, which is the backbone of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has survived three wars and which more than 11,000 people and numerous companies depend on, then it is clear how serious the situation is, said Rašid Fetić, president of the Nova Željezara Zenica Trade Union.
Namely, this morning (April 22) at 7:00 a.m. with the shutdown of the Agglomeration plant, which was stopped, the process of shutting down integral production at the company Nova Željezara Zenica began, which directly threatened tens of thousands of jobs.
Fetić pointed out that the employees are faced with an uncertain future, but that there is still a glimmer of hope.
He emphasized that they asked the management to leave the Blast Furnace in warm mode, so that there was a possibility of restarting production, but that now, with the complete stoppage of work, it has practically come to an end.
As he says, the workers have been aware for the last five months that the situation is not going in the right direction.
“The previous owners also operated with losses, but then it was a matter of cooperation that could compensate funds from other sources, while the current owner is unable to do so and does not want to make additional losses, which directly affects about 1,900 workers,” said Fetić.
He said that the plan is for workers to use annual vacations from April 27.
“We hope that a solution will be found by then and enable the continuation of production,” said Fetić.
He added that, if no solution is found, the employees should be paid severance pay in the amount of up to six salaries, which amounts to about 9,000 to 10,000 KM, after which the workers would end up at the bureau.
He said that the Union of Metalworkers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina decided to organize protests on April 30 due to the announced shutdown of integral production in the company Nova Željezara Zenica.
Fetić warned that many are not aware of the risk of shutting down this company, which has existed for 133 years.
“If they are ready to shut down something that has lasted for 133 years, which is the backbone of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has survived three wars and on which more than 11,000 people and numerous companies depend, then it is clear how serious the situation is,” said Fetić and points out that many are not aware of the shutdown of this company.
As a reminder, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday presented a plan for a possible solution to the crisis in the only steel producer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and designated the company Energoinvest as the bearer of that process.
Earlier, it was warned that the cessation of the work of the Ironworks would put as many as 11,000 jobs in question, considering that the railways in both entities depend on its operations, as well as about 500 other companies, they write. Independent newspaper.
