They issued an ultimatum to authorities, demanding that the reconstruction of the railway line begin within seven days.

The railway was severely damaged during catastrophic floods on 4 October, which struck Jablanica, Konjic, and central Bosnia, claiming 27 lives and heavily damaging hundreds of homes and numerous roads. A part of the railway connecting Bosnia and Herzegovina to Ploce was completely destroyed.

Reconstruction efforts have yet to begin, prompting the Federation of BiH government on Wednesday to sack Enis Dzafic, director of FBiH Railways, along with the entire management board, holding them responsible for the delay.

The newly appointed interim management was given a 15-day deadline to commence reconstruction. However, employees of FBiH Railways and workers from dependent companies, whose operations rely on raw materials transported by freight trains from Ploce, expressed dissatisfaction. They organised the protest to demand immediate action.

Emin Halilovic, president of the workers’ union at the Gikil coke processing plant in Lukavac near Tuzla, emphasised that the damaged railway threatens hundreds of jobs.