Skenderija Workers Ready for General Strike: Sarajevo Canton Government Ignores Warnings

Workers of KJP Centar Skenderija today warned about the situation in the company and the lack of reaction from the Sarajevo Canton Government to numerous warnings, even after the municipal inspection sealed Skenderija's facilities.

The chief union representative of the Centar Skenderija Workers' Union, Haris Vukas, stated that fear for the company's future and jobs has been prevalent among workers for a long time, and the situation has worsened after a part of the facade of the building collapsed.

Vukas mentioned that after the facade collapse, they were forced to temporarily close the halls, but later reopened them for use in agreement with the management and based on the opinion of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

"Based on the opinion of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the halls are absolutely safe for all visitors," Vukas said.

He emphasized that the Union has been warning the Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton and the Government of Sarajevo Canton about the condition of Skenderija since 2022.

"On 07/13/2022, we requested information from the director, and we were informed that the Ministry's support was lacking, that all agreements on financing and regular operations were postponed, and that all development and other projects were ignored," he said.

He added that after that, letters were sent to the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton and the relevant minister, but there was no response.

Vukas reminded that the Sarajevo Canton Development Strategy for the period 2021-2027 includes a plan for the renovation of Centar Skenderija worth around 35 million KM.

"This development strategy includes the renovation of the Mirza Delibašić hall, the renovation of the ice hall, and the reconstruction of all existing parts of the facility to bring them to a state of absolute safety," he stated.

However, he stressed that the workers are currently demanding an urgent reaction from the Sarajevo Canton Government.

Among the Union's demands are the urgent removal of market stalls, which they claim endanger safety, the removal of the collapsed facade section, and co-financing of current operations.

"We have closed part of the business premises precisely because the market stalls endanger our safety. The inspection is prompt when it comes to Centar Skenderija, they come immediately. The market stalls are still operating, we have emptied half of the business premises and are incurring huge financial losses," Vukas said.

He added that Centar Skenderija is suffering serious financial consequences due to the closure of part of the business premises and parking.

"We will reach a point where in a month or two we will be asking for salaries that we will not be able to pay," he warned.

The Union also demands urgent repair of the exhibition hall and garage, which, according to him, they have been ordered to close within eight days.

"We cannot afford this financially. The management of Skenderija and we are doing what is within our power, but the owner is not reacting to our appeals at all," Vukas said.

Vukas claims that they have repeatedly contacted institutions, including the Ministry of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, the Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nermin Nikšić, and the Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Stojanović.

"We are in a difficult situation where we are fighting for the survival of a company that dates back to 1969," he said.

He added that the workers believe they have become "hostages of political games."

"It is incomprehensible that someone can allow Skenderija to look like this at the moment," Vukas stated.

He announced that after today's work stoppage, the Union will undertake all legally permitted union activities, including a general strike in front of the Sarajevo Canton Government building.

"We will stop work and block everything, because we can't take it anymore," he said.

Speaking about the safety of the facility, Vukas explained that the entire business complex is not closed, but only the part adjacent to the market stalls that pose a problem.

"Safety is unquestionable, and based on the official opinion we received from the Faculty of Civil Engineering on May 4th, the safety of halls D1, D2, the business area, and all other parts is absolutely secure," he said.

He emphasized that the workers currently have no outstanding payments to employees or tax debts.

"There are no outstanding payments to workers. We have no tax debts, no debts whatsoever at this moment," Vukas concluded.