UK and Pandurević with Directors of Public Utility Companies: Resolve Problems Through Dialogue Between Unions and Management

(Patria) - Following yesterday's meeting with the presidents of the trade union organizations of cantonal public utility companies, the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad Uk and the Minister of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection Mladen Pandurević held a meeting today with the directors of cantonal public utility companies, it was announced from the KS Government.

The meeting was attended by the directors of the companies: Vodovod i kanalizacija (Water and Sewerage), Pokop (Burial), Rad (Work), Tržnice-pijace (Markets-Fairs), Park (Park), Toplane (Heating Plants) and Sarajevogas (Sarajevo Gas).

The directors informed the Prime Minister and the Minister about the situation in their companies, referring to the statements made at the recent press conference by the union representatives.

Based on the statements, it was concluded that the collective agreement is respected in the cantonal public utility companies, and that workers' rights are at a higher level compared to other branches of the public sector. The commitment of the managements to continuously work on improving the working conditions and standards of employees was also emphasized. The directors expressed full support for the upcoming start of negotiations for a new collective agreement.

Prime Minister Uk and Minister Pandurević emphasized the importance of open dialogue between the unions and the companies' managements, and the need for continuous improvement of communication and cooperation.

It was concluded that only through a constructive and joint approach of all parties can sustainable solutions be found that will lead to the improvement of working conditions and employee satisfaction, as well as to the enhancement of the quality of services that cantonal utility companies provide to the citizens of Sarajevo Canton.

We remind you that the leaders of the Communal Economy Union and the unions of public cantonal utility companies held a press conference on Tuesday where they made serious accusations against the managements, stating that workers' rights are being diminished, workers are under pressure, and working conditions are unsatisfactory. The most critical situation is in the companies Rad and VIK.

The VIK Union pointed out that the collapse of water supply in Sarajevo is imminent by the end of the year, and the regular removal of waste is also questionable.