Workers at the Nova Ljubija mine in Prijedor, who are demanding the urgent adoption of a social welfare program and the payment of severance pay, began their protest today by refusing meals.
The workers began their protest at 3:00 p.m. in the second shift, and employees from other brigades will join them tonight at around 8:00 p.m. in their organizational units.
The Trade Union of the Nova Ljubija mine said that the workers will remain in protest at their workplaces until their demands are met.
“The workers, on their own initiative, decided to start the protest by refusing meals – not as a choice, but as a last resort to draw attention to the situation they are in,” the statement from the Trade Union reads.
The Trade Union of the Nova Ljubija mine in Prijedor announced earlier today that the workers are in an extremely difficult existential situation, and that they fear that their earned salaries will not be paid because the majority owner’s decision to stop production at the Omarska mine has been met.
They estimate that between six and seven million KM is needed to resolve this issue.
“We call on the competent institutions to react urgently and responsibly. Any further delay could have unforeseeable consequences. The workers are not asking for privileges, they are asking for the basic right to a dignified life,” the union said in a statement.
On March 18, the District Commercial Court in Prijedor initiated preliminary proceedings to determine the conditions for opening bankruptcy proceedings against the Prijedor mine “Nova Ljubija”.
