Zenica miners remain underground for fourth day as health condition of 11 workers remains ood

"The health condition of all workers is good. That is the most important thing," Alic said.

The issue of verifying health insurance documents for all three coal mines in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, including the Zenica Brown Coal Mine, was temporarily resolved yesterday for a period of one month. However, this represents only one of the miners’ demands in the ongoing labour protest, during which some workers entered the mine three nights ago.

Initially, around 20 miners joined the protest underground. The number was reduced to 18 by yesterday, and 11 workers remain inside the mine because they are responsible for maintaining underground facilities.

The others had to leave the mine in order to remain available and able to perform legally required tasks related to mine ventilation, gas removal and drainage of underground areas.

Unlike workers at the other six mines within the Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH) coal mining complex, Zenica miners say their main concern is the existence of the mine and the livelihoods of workers and their families.

Alić said a letter received yesterday from Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Vedran Lakic, which, according to him, contained no concrete details apart from a statement that efforts were underway to find a solution, further discouraged the workers.

“If nothing concrete happens today, it is likely that the Zenica miners will remain underground throughout the weekend and enter the next week there,” Alic said, adding that miners no longer trust even their union leaders, who are in the same situation as the workers themselves and are also waiting for salaries and the implementation of the closure plan for the Zenica Brown Coal Mine.

According to previous announcements, the May salary was supposed to be paid by the beginning of July, while the June salary was expected by July 25. The salary for July has already been earned and, according to the collective agreement, should be paid by August 25.