Workers of the former Bosnian wood-processing giant 'Krivaja' from Zavidovici came to the capital - Sarajevo, on Thursday, to stage a protest in front of the Federation (FBiH) entity building, demanding the binding of services so they can finally retire after working in the company for 40 years.

They are also asking that the agreement reached at the FBiH government regarding their future be respected and implemented.

Ramiz Mujic, the representative of ‘Krivaja’ workers told N1 that their troubles began back in 2014 when the company was privatised

“We want the Partnership Group to take over the loan of 5.7 million Bosnian marks (some €2.8 million), that using the additional agreement signed by former FBiH Prime MinisterNermin Niksic and representatives of the Partnership Group, all 1,025 workers be re-employed. Ever since this situation escalated in 2014, these conditions haven’t been met,” he said.

He states that there are currently 350 workers listed at the employment office, but that more workers are demanding their rights.

“There are close to 600 workers because some workers went to work in other companies. Around 400-500 workers expect the binding of services from 2003, which was never done,” Mujic noted.

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I wave claims to 15 salaries for the binding of services

Nurudin Cavalic, a ‘Krivaje’ Zavidovici employees tells N1 he is ready to waive his claims to 15 unpaid salaries at the protest in Sarajevo, just to have his services bound so he can retire finally.

“They should have paid for everything within 90 days, the remaining salaries and services, but so far there was nothing. I would waive my claims, ‘halal’, just so they could pay my services so I can retire,” he said.

"Halal im plate, samo neka mi uplate staž" pic.twitter.com/EsgfN8jyGR

— TV N1 Sarajevo (@N1infoSA) May 20, 2021

He adds that he has 41 years of experience but that he is unable to go to retirement, noting that many workers had died in the meantime, waiting to go to retirement.