Minister Petkova: We will ptotect the interests of miners
Mines Maritsa East to remain state-owned company
"We will defend the interests of miners as they are the backbone of the Bulgarian energy system." That was said by the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova at a meeting held with representatives of the Labour Unions at Mines Maritsa East EAD. The Executive Director of the Bulgarian Energy Holding Zhaklin Cohen, the Executive Director of Mines Maritsa East Andon Andonov and the Chairman of the Board of Directors Dian Chervenkondev also took part in the talk.
According to Petkova, any single lev received by the miners as a remuneration is deserved in a view extremely harsh working conditions. Despite the difficult financial situation in the system of Bulgarian energy, avenues through which the amounts due to the employees to be paid on time, have been looking for. Minister Petkova made a commitment before the Labour Unions that the miners’ salaries will be regularly paid, the entire payments under the collective labor agreement will be executed, the necessary working garment will be ensured as well as all activities regarding occupational health and safety will be implemented.
During the conversation, Minister Temenuzhka Petkova assured that there are no plans to privatize the state-owned mines. "We are looking for options to provide new funds for purchasing new equipment and repairing the existing facilities in Mines Maritsa East, Petkova explained. The Minister of Energy was clear that the increase in the rate of implementation of the investment program of the coal mining company will raise the efficiency of production process and will ensure safe working conditions.
Representatives of Labour Unions thanked Minister Petkova for the constructive dialogue and for the opportunity to place all urgent issues facing the employees at the mines. Both sides agreed that long-term solutions should be taken to undergo the imbalances in the energy sector and to sustain the energy system in the future.
