Agreement: Miner safety is a priority, new investments in mines

An extraordinary session of the Steering Board of the Independent Union of Miners of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held today at the premises of the Zenica Coal Mine, attended by the Federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić, Federal Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Erdal Trhulj, General Director of JP Elektroprivreda BiH Elvedin Grabovica, President of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of BiH Ismet Bajramović, and directors of coal mines in FBiH, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

It was emphasized that the protection of miners, the procurement of machinery, and care for the families of miners who died in the Raspotočje mine on September 4th remain a priority. Grabovica stated that the improvement of investment processes was also discussed, although it is clear that even this is not enough to protect the lives of miners.

- We have started creating a new exploitation plan, after which we will assess the amount of new investments needed, and we will do this to reduce the possibility of such situations recurring. Do not forget that three years ago we started a process and promised to equalize hot meals, and we fulfilled that, we are fulfilling investments, and in the next steps, EP needs the help of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Energy and Mining – said Grabovica, announcing the soon improvement of miners' standards and wages.

After the meeting, the President of the Miners' Union of FBiH, Sinan Husić, stated that what was agreed upon and what is certain is that no miner in the Zenica Mine, especially from the "Raspotočje" mine, will lose their job, and that a professional team will be formed to propose the opening of a new exploitation field in Raspotočje within the next 15 days.

Prime Minister Nikšić said that solidarity is quickly forgotten, but that the Government of FBiH will not abandon the employees of RMU Zenica.

- We all talk about solidarity only in these situations and quickly forget it. The Government has said that the equal status of employees in RMU Zenica cannot be called into question, nor can their existence. We will work with Elektroprivreda as soon as possible to make a new exploitation field operational – stated Nikšić.