Independent Union of "Aluminija" Employees: We expect nothing from HDZ

MOSTAR, (Patria) - A deadline has been set for July 31 to develop a plan for the employment of "Aluminija" workers, it was stated after the meeting of the "Aluminija" Crisis Council, BHT1 reported.

The Crisis Council includes the Management and Supervisory Boards, HDZ leader Dragan Čović, Federal Minister of Finance Jelka Miličević, and, as observers, members of the Presidency and Assembly of the Independent Union of "Aluminija" Employees.

The President of the Independent Union of "Aluminija" Employees, Romeo Biokšić, stated that he expects nothing from the announced HDZ session that will be held tomorrow in Mostar, reports the Patria News Agency.

The statement of the "Aluminija" Crisis Council stated:

At today's continuation of the session of the "Aluminija" Crisis Council, which was attended by the management, supervisory board, and employee representatives, as well as the President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović and the Deputy Prime Minister of the FBiH and Federal Minister of Finance Jelka Milićević, and, as observers, members of the Presidency and Assembly of the Independent Union of "Aluminija" Employees, the following was concluded:

- An oral guarantee was given that the FBiH Government will credit the employment history of all "Aluminija" employees, about which the Government will make a decision as soon as possible.
- By the end of the current month, a Company Restructuring Plan will be prepared and adopted, followed by a new organizational systematization (in accordance with the Restructuring Plan), which will be accompanied by an Employee Employment Plan. Within these plans, funds for severance pay will be foreseen and secured, and retirement will be enabled for those who meet the legal requirements.
- The management will continue discussions with the managements of commercial banks on resolving the issue of employees' loans and other debts.
- In accordance with the Restructuring Plan, gradual revival of the production process will be foreseen, starting from the Foundry, through Anodes, to the Electrolysis.
- After the listed documents pass all management levels in the Company, a Shareholders' Assembly will be urgently convened so that these precise plans can be presented to the owners for final decision-making.

"Aluminija" was disconnected from the high-voltage power grid due to multi-million debts for electricity, while around 900 workers lost their jobs.

A group of workers protested due to the shutdown of "Aluminija", and they hold the President of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, responsible.