Minister Petkova to assist in finding a job for workers of Chukurovo Mine
Through the assistance of Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova, opportunities for the posting of Chukurovo Mine workers in the other coal mining companies in the area will be demanded. This became clear at a meeting of Minister Petkova held today with the employee representatives and the mine management at the Ministry of Energy. The management of open cast Pernik Mines also attended the meeting, announcing that additional staff is required for the mine.
It is recalled that more than 100 workers at Chukurovo Mine were notified earlier that week of employment termination due to the suspension of company’s operation for more than 15 days. Whereas, moreover, the Minister of Energy lacks such powers of her own beyond the implementation of the concession agreement, Petkova assumed to arbitrate among workers and their employer, to ensure a fair settlement of the dispute.
Chukurovo Mine is due to pay a concession fee to the state in the amount of BGN 392 000 without the interest accrued for the period from the second half of 2011 to the end of 2014, it became clear during the meeting. Thus, the bank guarantee issued in favor of the Ministry of Energy will be claimed by the end of this month.
During the meeting, the management of Chukurovo Mine committed themselves to pay due wages of workers for November by the end of the week. As already known, Minister Petkova made a commitment at the previous meeting held at the end of last year to closely monitor the payment of outstanding salaries.
A joint Commission between representatives of workers and employers is to define steps to resume operation of the mine. Petkova also expressed the readiness of ME experts to support the activities of the Commission, if necessary.