Due to a lack of work in the demining sector, 58 deminers have been laid off since the beginning of the year. Most employers have announced additional layoffs, citing insufficient projects for the workforce. To urge those responsible to resolve this crisis, we announce our arrival at the Government Building on Tuesday, August 4, at 11:00 a.m.
NEW CHALLENGES AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF A WAVE OF LAYOFFS IN HUMANITARIAN DEMINING
Dear,
We previously addressed you in a letter dated July 22, 2020, in which we highlighted the systemic problems within the humanitarian demining sector. To date, we have received no response.
We must emphasize that since the beginning of 2020, Mine Action capacities have been severely underutilized. Combined with the pandemic-related suspension of operations in March, April, and May, deminers have not operated at full capacity for the remainder of the year.
The crisis culminated with the dismissal of employees at the start of the year. To date, out of a total of 543 employees, 58 have received conditional notices of termination representing more than 10% of the entire system. According to information from our members, most employers have announced further layoffs because there is not enough work for everyone. Rough estimates suggest approximately 100 additional layoffs will follow, endangering the welfare of the Republic of Croatia, the safety of its citizens, and the livelihoods of these workers’ families.
The National Mine Action Program planned for the demining of 51 million square meters this year. However, at a meeting with representatives of the Croatian Mine Action Center (HCR) in July, we were informed that only 32 million square meters would actually be cleared. This means that as of September, there will be virtually no work for any humanitarian demining company, as 19 million planned square meters will remain untouched.
The unions appealed for assistance from the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Božinović, who delegated the meeting to his assistant, Mr. Damir Trut. Mr. Trut offered no concrete solutions, suggesting only a joint meeting with employers at the end of August.
In addition to these burning issues, it is necessary to discuss the dynamics of demining itself, as well as an exit strategy specifically, the retraining and future employment of deminers who will not meet retirement criteria by the end of the national demining program, along with the issue of minimum pension amounts.
Since we have received no reaction, we are forced to announce a gathering for Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. We will arrive at the Government Building (Banski dvori) with the expectation of being received by you personally, or by an official with the authority to solve this urgent problem, rather than merely discuss it.
We trust that for the welfare of Croatia and out of respect for the National Mine Action Plan, you will find the time to meet with us.
Respectfully,
Mario Iveković President, Novi sindikat
