Elektroprivreda BiH: Kasumović is not concerned about miners, miscalculated in populism

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine issued a press release today regarding the initiative of Zenica Mayor Fuad Kasumović about the alleged readiness to forgive RMU Zenica's debt, stating that it is a "perfidious political game".

- The initiative of Fuad Kasumović, Mayor of Zenica, expressing alleged readiness to forgive 2.6 million KM of RMU 'Zenica' debt, based on default interest from court enforcement proceedings in the dispute between the City of Zenica and the Mine for the use of construction land and utility fees, with the condition that the debt amount be paid to Zenica miners in the value of 4,500 KM each, is the mayor's perfidious political game of very low value - the statement reads.

As further stated, "the mayor's populist behavior, showing visibly staged concern for the miners, is aimed solely and exclusively at securing their political support in the pre-election period on the turbulent BiH political scene, characterized by unscrupulousness, lack of culture and morality, and choosing no means to achieve the goal at any cost".

- We confirm the Zenica mayor's populism with the fact that as of 10.08.2022, 963 workers are employed at RMU Zenica. The net payment the mayor is talking about implies an obligation of approximately 7.5 million KM. The amount of RMU 'Zenica' debt based on default interest is 2.6 million and represents only a third of the amount needed to pay 4,500 KM to each miner in the Mine - Elektroprivreda BiH states.

At the same time, they inform the public that "RMU Zenica paid Fuad Kasumović 4.6 million KM based on illegal fees for the use of construction land, and the mayor promised to write off the debt for default interest".

- It is obvious that Kasumović has abandoned his promises, and therefore we invite him to jointly help the Zenica miners by Kasumović returning the illegally taken money from the RMU Zenica miners in the amount of 4.6 million KM, and JP Elektroprivreda will provide 2.6 million KM to fulfill the mayor's populist promise - the statement reads.

Elektroprivreda BiH also states that "the designed game on the 'miner's card' with the promise of debt forgiveness, conditioned on JP Elektroprivreda BiH, indicates the mayor's insincerity in the negotiations so far in resolving the problems between the City of Zenica and RMU Zenica and seriously jeopardizes all efforts being made to ensure minimal economic stability for the Mine, which has been operating in extremely difficult conditions for years and survives thanks to the help of JP Elektroprivreda BiH".

Elektroprivreda BiH reminds that "from the establishment of the EPBiH Concern until 15.08.2022, JP Elektroprivreda BiH invested 66.7 million KM in the procurement of equipment and goods for RMU Zenica, and paid more than 45 million KM based on advances, which were converted into loans in 2021".

They also state that "as of 15.08.2022, 31.7 million KM (planned 32 million KM) has been paid for loans to finance overdue obligations for Pension and Disability Insurance (PIO/MIO) for regular retirement of workers, including severance pay, financing overdue obligations for PIO/MIO for workers employed outside the core business, as well as for settling other operating costs from the previous period".

- JP Elektroprivreda BiH has fulfilled its obligations on time and within its capacities. However, the expected breakthrough in increasing production and business stability has not been achieved. The production achieved in recent months is not even enough for net salary payments to workers, debts to the state as of 30.06.2022 amounted to more than 221 million KM, obligations for loans, suppliers, and other liabilities exceed 90 million KM, and debts for supplied electricity are higher than 2.3 million KM. The Mine ended the 2021 business year with a loss of 15.2 million, and in the first six months of this year, the loss is almost 12 million - it is stated.

Elektroprivreda BiH emphasizes that the exact data speaks of the real situation in the Mine, and that "Kasumović's display of benevolence represents a utopian hope for the miners and an attack on this JP".

- Ultimately, Mayor Kasumović's promises are just empty talk for the gullible, which unfortunately stirs up spirits at a time when there is no shortage of problems - the EPBiH statement reads.