Cokery Union: Unprofessional and Hasty Factory Shutdown Could Cause Ecological Catastrophe

(Patria) - The trade union organization of the Lukavac Cokery has warned that the unprofessional and hasty shutdown of the factory could lead to serious consequences, including endangering the health and lives of workers, as well as a potential ecological catastrophe with unforeseeable consequences.

The Union emphasizes that it is unacceptable for such a complex and risky process to be carried out without a clear plan, written guarantees, expert supervision, and concrete protection measures, and that the responsibility for such a scenario cannot lie with the workers who warned of the risks in time.

Following the decision of the Creditors' Assembly to shut down the coke battery, the Union called on the authorities and the bankruptcy administrator to inform the workers about the current situation and the next steps to be taken in this company at a meeting tomorrow.

The Cokery Union states that no one has provided written information or an official decision regarding the leasing of individual Cokery factories, which, as they state, further deepens uncertainty and mistrust among the workers.

They point out that for health, safety, and moral reasons, the workers are not prepared to participate in the process of shutting down the coke battery until their previous demands are met, and emphasize that they will not participate in it without clear decisions, written guarantees, and secured funds.

The Union demands that a meeting be held between representatives of the Cantonal and Federal Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, relevant ministries, the bankruptcy administrator, expert services, and workers in order to find an appropriate and sustainable solution.

At the Creditors' Assembly of the Cokery in bankruptcy, held yesterday at the Municipal Court in Tuzla, it was decided that the production facilities of this company would be shut down, as no offer from a potential partner was received within the stipulated deadline.

The company "Pavgord" from Foča, which was the temporary partner of the Cokery, is also not interested in continuing the operation of the Cokery.