Miners at the Zenica Brown Coal Mine in the Rastopočje pit have been underground for days, seeking a clear and precise answer about when their back wages will be paid. Salaries for May and June have not yet been paid, and the July salary is due soon.
Although the Federal Government and the relevant ministry told BHRT that funds for the payment of back wages have been secured, the miners are seeking concrete guarantees and an exact date for payment. The Union is also making the same request.
The Union says that over the past two years they have listened to promises and participated in negotiations, but that the miners are now no longer seeking explanations, but rather concrete deadlines for the payment of salaries for May, June and July.
While the miners remain in the pit, other chambers are supporting their struggle from within the mine. In the meantime, the salary issue has opened a wider debate about the position of the miners and the future of the mine in the energy transition process.
A long stay in a pit, without sufficient daylight and in conditions of increased humidity, dust and psychophysical stress, can have serious consequences for the health of workers.
