SARAJEVO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The main board of the Nova Zeljezara Zenica union on Friday demanded that the largest steel plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) pay out workers' severance packages by August 10, or face larger and more radical protests.
Union President Rasid Fetic, at a press conference on Friday, said that if their demands are not met by August 10, all employees will protest in front of the administration building the following day and invite Zenica citizens to join them.
Furthermore, workers are also seeking a welfare program to support those facing layoffs, and the purchase of extra years of service. Fetic also warned that the impending shutdown would severely disrupt the city, as Zenica will certainly be left without district heating for the upcoming winter season.
The ultimatum followed failed talks on Wednesday, when management of the plant rejected the government's proposal for a full acquisition of the majority stake or an operational takeover for at least three years.
Founded in the late 19th century, the plant used to be the backbone of a mining-railway-finance industrial chain. Local media and experts have warned that its possible closure will affect tens of thousands of people's livelihoods and the very soul of Zenica as the "City of Steel" in the country. ■
