The Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, led by Prime Minister Nezir Pivić, is following the information coming from Nova Željezara Zenica with serious concern, especially bearing in mind that neither the Canton nor the citizens have yet received clear answers about the further functioning of the company and the status of employees.
Prime Minister Pivić and Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić held a meeting today with the co-owners of Nova Željezara Zenica, Gordan Pavlović and Ahmed Hamzić, who is also the general director of the company, in order to get to know firsthand the current situation and challenges in business.
The ZDK government emphasizes that it has no direct authority over the operations of Nova Željezara Zenica, because it is primarily the responsibility of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also has 8% ownership in the company. However, due to the strategic importance of the Ironworks for Zenica and the Zenica-Doboj canton – a company that directly employs about 1,900 workers, indirectly hires about 12,000 people, participates with about 2.5% in the GDP of BiH and pays more than 32 million KM annually – the ZDK Government considers it its duty to actively monitor the situation and insist on protecting workers and the economic interests of the canton.
The focus of today’s meeting was the key issues: the future status of employees, concrete measures planned by the management in case of worsening of the situation, implementation of announced investments, modernization and transformation of production, as well as information the company has regarding obligations and the reaction of competent institutions of FBiH and BiH.
The talks took place in a constructive atmosphere, with an open presentation of all relevant data and the biggest problems the company is facing. The co-owners expressed the need for stronger support from institutions at all levels of government, especially regarding the establishment of mechanisms for the protection of domestic production – in accordance with the practices of the European Union. Additional problems are represented by the high cost of transporting ore, the relationship between the Railways of the Federation of BiH and the Railways of the Republic of Srpska, the increase in the price of electricity by 6%, which has been around 20% more expensive for a long time compared to the price in the other BiH. entity, and unresolved issues related to the Rač metallurgical waste landfill and the use of own property.
The ZDK Government says that the protection of workers and the preservation of the economic system of the Zenica-Doboj Canton is an “absolute priority”, but they emphasize that the higher levels of government are directly responsible for specific decisions and solutions, including the Government of the Federation of BiH as a co-owner of the company, and the Council of Ministers of BiH.
Therefore, the ZDK Government calls on the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to react urgently and actively get involved in solving the situation, in order to prevent serious consequences for workers, their families and the overall economy of the canton.
Nova Željezara Zenica has been the carrier of the economic life of Zenica and the wider region for decades, and any uncertainty in its operations has direct consequences for thousands of families and the economic development of ZDK and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The government of Zenica-Doboj Canton remains committed to protecting the interests of workers and citizens and will insist on urgent, efficient and coordinated solutions with the full participation of higher levels of government.
