Filling the gap created in demining dynamics, rehiring laid-off workers, completing demining plans for the next year, resolving the issue of protected pensions, and initiating an exit strategy—these were the demands discussed at yesterday’s meeting with the Government. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled after the summer break.
Due to a reduction in work within the demining sector, 58 deminers have been fired since the beginning of the year. Most employers have announced additional layoffs, claiming there is not enough work for everyone due to poor organization. At a meeting held on July 21 at the Ministry of the Interior, we spoke with the Assistant Minister for Civil Protection, Damir Trut, and the Coordinator for Civil Protection Affairs, Neven Karas. At that time, we warned of the current problems in the sector and requested the Ministry’s active involvement to ensure work continuity and job retention.
The Assistant Minister promised to convene a meeting with employers and trade unions by the end of August 2020. However, dissatisfied with the pace of progress, we turned to all major political groups in Parliament for help. Receiving no response, we arrived at St. Mark’s Square yesterday, August 4, accompanied by deminers, to demand a meeting.
“So far, 58 deminers have been fired, and their departure threatens to disrupt the entire system because the national plan was based on a workforce of 546. Employers will likely try to call them back when work becomes available, but some are already permanently lost to the profession because people have to make a living. Other critical issues include the exit strategy—specifically, pensions for deminers and care for those who will not meet retirement conditions once demining is completed. Today, deminers receive a pension of only 3,000 to 3,500 HRK. We are demanding a protected pension of at least 5,000 HRK. Furthermore, we must find placements for younger workers; we believe they are capable of serving in civil protection, the army, or the police,” said Mario Iveković, President of Novi sindikat, at a press conference held in front of the Government Building yesterday.
The layoffs were caused by poor organization. For 2020, approximately 51 million square meters were planned for demining, yet currently, only 32 million are being processed. A “hole” of 19 million square meters was created because the Velebit project, originally planned for 2020, was completed prematurely in 2019. Additionally, there are delays in the forest demining project around Karlovac, which has yet to be approved.
“Someone made a mistake, and while no one wants to take responsibility, the only people suffering the consequences are the deminers losing their jobs. The Ministry of the Interior can speed up the approval process for the Karlovac project and include the Union in planning the schedule for coming years. Roughly 160 million square meters remain; if 40 million were demined annually, employers could retain all workers. We believe this is the best solution,” Iveković explained.
Following the meeting, Iveković and the deminers reported that they were received by the Head of the Office of the Prime Minister, Zvonimir Frka-Petešić. He noted it was a difficult day for a meeting as officials were already in Knin and the Government begins its summer recess tomorrow. However, he promised to speak with Damir Trut immediately to initiate activities and prepare a high-quality meeting to discuss these issues once the Government returns from vacation.
“Fill the gap created this year by accelerating project approvals, return the deminers currently at the employment office, finalize plans for next year, resolve the protected pension issue, and start the exit strategy these are our requirements. If the Government does not begin solving these problems, deminers will be ready to return to St. Mark’s Square in even larger numbers. There are 160 million ‘heavy’ square meters remaining areas where machines cannot go and workers must. It is vital to preserve our capacity and keep the specialists we have,” concluded Iveković.
