Federal MPs divided on the future of mines, SDP proposed five conclusions

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Continuing the discussion on the state of the mines, Alma Kratina from DF pointed out problems with management in the mines of the Elektroprivreda Concern, and announced that the DF-GS Club will initiate some activities in the future. 

Safer Demirović stated that thermal power plants produce much more than thermal power plants and wind farms. 

“We cannot create Elektroprivreda for employment and accommodation of party cadres, and destroy the mines,” said Senaid Begić.

Elzina Pirić stated that the Government shows interest in companies with losses differently. According to her, the price of gas was raised because of this. 

“Is it true that Poland is currently building seven blocks. Since 2010, the price of coal in FBiH has not increased, while the consumer basket has increased rapidly. I would ask you all to pay a little less attention to your companies and the defense industry, which is progressing, and to turn a little towards the miners,” Pirić said.

“I think it’s time we stopped dealing with social welfare. We will be filling something that cannot be obtained every two months. Does the Government have the word re-industrialization? I feel sorry for the miners in Zenica, who will feel everything first. Someone must find a solution for these people. I think it is better to give 50 million to the construction sector and for them to accept the miners who lose their jobs. If we had resolved the issues of veterans in 1996, we would not have the situation we have today,” said Eldin Vrače.

Two opposing theories about the future of mines and miners were exchanged through remarks by Vrače and Pirić.

Nihad Čolpa says he doesn't believe his friend in America is dependent on Germany, because he uses electricity from that country. 

“I think we need to equalize the public and real sectors, but because of our fear of doing something, we will bring the real sector into trouble. I ask the Government of the Federation of BiH to create a strategy as soon as possible, so that we don't wait ten years,” said Čolpa.

The SDP parliamentary group proposed five conclusions on the state of the mines of the JP Elektroprivreda BiH Concern: 

“1. The Government of FBiH is requested to define a solution that will enable the application of the Collective Agreement on the Rights and Obligations of Employers and Employees in the Mining Sector in FBiH in the Public Enterprise (ZD) Coal Mines "Zenica" and "Breza";

2. The Government of the Federation of BiH is requested to immediately initiate the process of analyzing the quality of management of coal mines (ZD) within the Concern;

3. It is requested that the Government of the Federation of BiH instruct the Management of JP Elektroprivreda BiH d.d. Sarajevo and the managements of all coal mines (ZD) in FBiH to conduct an analysis of the organization and systematization of workplaces in all coal mines, and to initiate the process of developing more efficient, operational organizations and systematizations of workplaces that will ultimately offer and lead to the possibility of higher quality and more successful business operations in coal mines (ZD) in the Federation of BiH;

4. The Government of the Federation of BiH is requested to review the functionality of the JP Elektroprivreda BiH d.d. Sarajevo Concern, the relationships within the Concern, and the wholesale price of coal delivered from coal mines in the Federation of BiH to JP "Elektroprivreda BiH d.d. Sarajevo";

5. Given that the current collective agreement on the rights and obligations of employers and employees in the mining sector in FBiH expires today, September 11, 2019, the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament requests the social partners to conclude the negotiation process for harmonizing the new Collective Agreement on the Rights and Obligations of Employers and Employees in the Mining Sector in FBiH by the end of September 2019 at the latest.”

During a break in today's session, the House's Commission for Labor and Social Affairs held an extraordinary session, following the statements made by the Director of the Pazarić Institute, Džemal Salić, in the first part of today's session. 

The Commission adopted three conclusions: 

“Primarily, it is proposed to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of FBiH to re-examine the work reports of five such institutes for 2018, and to submit the findings of the FUP, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Office for Audit of Institutions of FBiH to the Parliament within 60 days. It is proposed to organize a visit to the Pazarić Institute, and for the Government to allocate emergency funds for this institute for the upcoming winter season.

These conclusions should be voted on today.