FBiH Government Claims Delayed Salaries for Zenica Miners Will Soon Be Paid

(Patria) - The FBiH Government, led by Prime Minister Nikšić, has once again shown that it seeks solutions rather than excuses.

"We could have said that this is not our problem, that the payment to miners is not within the jurisdiction of the FBiH Government or JP Elektroprivreda BiH, but rather the responsibility of the mine management.

But instead, we found a solution for the workers of RMU Zenica to receive their delayed salaries," said the Federal Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry, Vedran Lakić.

We remind you that Lakić and the acting director of JP Elektroprivreda BiH, Sanel Buljubašić, agreed on this payment at a meeting with representatives of the Trade Union and the mine management, held on March 14 in Kakanj.

- The FBiH Government has honored its part of the agreement and we have found a legal solution for the payment of salaries for January and February. The salaries should be in the miners' accounts soon. Regarding the future of RMU Zenica, we can say that an expert team has assessed the situation, prepared a report, and will very soon announce recommendations and further steps related to the future of this mine.

We are aware that we must face numerous problems together and that we must bring the mines to an optimal level. Today, RMU Zenica is in trouble, and we must strive to ensure that another mine is not in trouble tomorrow.

All mines will have to focus on systematization and optimization of operations in the coming period in order to increase coal production, preserve the entire energy system, and ensure its stable and secure functioning," added Minister Lakić.