May Day protests in Zenica, BHRT workers join metalworkers

(Patria) - While most of the country is celebrating International Workers' Day at picnic spots, the atmosphere in Zenica this morning is completely different. Instead of celebration, messages of struggle for workers' rights echo through the city.

The Federation of BiH Metalworkers' Union organized a protest gathering for today, which has already gathered a large number of workers in recognizable white t-shirts with union insignia.

The main message of this year's May Day in Zenica is solidarity with the workers of "Nova željezara" (New Ironworks), a company that has been a pillar of development for decades, and today faces an existential crisis.

The banners carried by the gathered metalworkers are dominated by inscriptions such as "Metalworkers are the pillar of the state," clearly telling the authorities that industrial production must not be allowed to decay.

Today's protests come at a time of deep crisis. We remind you that Nova Željezara Zenica recently suspended integral steel production. With the shutdown of the Blast Furnace, Agglomeration, and Steelworks, thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, have been jeopardized.

In addition to the Ironworks, Zenica Brown Coal Mine, which has not produced coal for almost two years, is also in a difficult situation.

This situation has created an atmosphere of insecurity that culminated in today's May Day protest.

Solidarity as the only way out

Union leaders emphasize that the goal of today's gathering is to alert the competent institutions to actively engage in solving problems and preserving industrial tradition.

While the pictures show workers preparing banners and flags, it is clear that Zenica is the center of workers' resistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina this morning.