Agreement reached: Wages for RMU Zenica workers by the end of next week, final decision on mine's fate in 15 days

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elektroprivreda BiH, and representatives of the Miners' Union of the FBiH have reached an agreement on the payment of wages for workers of the RMU Zenica mine for January and February, no later than the end of next week.

After two hours of negotiations at the Government of the FBiH, Sinan Husić, president of the Independent Union of Mine Workers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, came before the miners and informed the 300 gathered miners that an agreement had been reached.

"For the workers of RMU Zenica, payment of wages for January and February 2024 will be made no later than during next week. All measures and actions that needed to be taken to realize this have already been taken. If for any reason this does not happen, the Union has no dilemma; we will do what we announced, a new mass protest gathering in front of the Government of the FBiH. Based on everything presented, we should not be in such a position," said Husić.

He also stated that the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry has received the Elaborate and that as of today, the analysis of all indicators of this Elaborate will begin, and based on the analysis, a final decision on the status of RMU Zenica and the mine workers will be made within the next 15 days.

"Our commitment is that everything must be in accordance with applicable legal regulations, both regarding the mine and the workers. The workers of RMU Zenica will not be left to fend for themselves, and if necessary, at the next gathering, if needed, they will have even greater support," said Husić, after which the miners headed towards the buses.

Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry Vedran Lakić said that the Government and the Unions have absolute synergy, and the positive outcome of the meeting was achieved this time as well.

It was determined that financial resources exist in the budget of the FBiH and will be used in the coming days to pay the wages of miners in Zenica.

Lakić said that they jointly noted that production at RMU Zenica was not at a satisfactory level.