We are calling off the hunger strike, but not the pressure to fulfill all agreements reached today, stated one of the participants in the hunger strike at the Split Steelworks, Tonči Mužić, after a meeting at the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship (MINGORP).
"We have achieved more in the past week than in the entire last year. We are not giving up on pressure until the agreed is executed, but we are giving up on the hunger strike," said Mužić after the meeting of union representatives with the Minister of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship Đuro Popijač. Popijač reported that it was agreed that the company Trast would carry out customs clearance and import wire from the customs warehouse in the Split port to be processed at the Steelworks. As he stated, the Ministry is in intensive talks with potential investors, and today one such conversation took place in which a prominent German manufacturer expressed interest in entering the Steelworks and will conduct a due diligence in the coming days. During the week, he announced, talks with potential investors will continue.
Additionally, on Thursday, representatives of the Ministry of Economy will talk with the current owner, the Polish Zlomrex, which has not fulfilled its obligations from the privatization contract. Zlomrex will be proposed to prepare a mutual termination of the contract during negotiations with a potential new strategic partner, so that the state can regain ownership of the shares of the Steelworks, and if that scenario arises, organize its management. Namely, as explained in his statement by the president of the Croatian Association of Trade Unions, Ozren Matijašević, if a strategic partner is found, it would go for acquisition (from Zlomrex) without a public tender, and if that fails, the state would take over the Steelworks."Very soon it will be known whether there is real and serious interest from a genuine investor. We want a partner who will establish production and ensure additional investments related to environmental requirements and secure the market," said Popijač. He assessed that the Croatian market is large enough for the Split Steelworks if it is treated correctly regarding Croatian products. (H)
