Do not convert the Parliament into crisis

The Trepca plant was estimated to be one of the largest companies not only in Kosovo, but also in the former Yugoslavia. In recent years, though, he went through the survival phase and from over 20 thousand former workers, Trepca currently numbers some 1,400 workers.

The entire process that would have to be passed the Trepca nation following the adoption of the Law in October of last year and opening the way of development has remained a stumbling block to political problems.

Currently, as Trepca representatives say, everything connected with Trepca has remained frozen until the formation of new Kosovo institutions emerged after the June 11th elections.

Trepca Director Ahmet Tmava, in a conversation with Radio Free Europe, says the Trepca plant is facing serious difficulty operating and is bringing no little trouble.

Unfortunately, the Law has not become functional and functioning has become extremely difficult, since we are not currently a social company at the Kosovar Privatisation Agency or Government, and it is causing trouble. State institutions have to fulfill their obligations, even though the facts are falsely”.

“The issue of functioning of the Law has had to be completed since the time, but we are making maximum efforts to get this transition period out of serious trouble”, Tmava points out.

Any delay in the Trepca issue adds Tmava is painful, since Trepca's development had enabled new job openings, production growth and the interest in exploiting the resources.

On the other hand, Fatmir Sadiku, chairman of the Trepca Union, is presented with great concern.

He in a proposal for Radio Free Europe says the company is heading towards bankruptcy.

“We're stuck with a fall of production. If we compare it to the previous year, in the first six months we have 6 thousand tons less of xehes production. Trepca is not being managed properly. There are institutional vacuums, there are neglecting jobs, no good production. Workers have been waiting for the new Kosovo institutions to be formed, if this situation continues, Trepca moves towards bankruptcy”, Sadiku says.

Sadiku adds, however, that even the conditions Trepca workers are working on are below the right level.

“Conditions for workers are serious, they are facing various problems, particular problems are environmental conditions, microclim”, Sadiku points out.

Meanwhile, the executive director at the American Economic Ode in Kosovo (OEAK), Arrian Zeka, tells Radio Free Europe that the political crisis affects Trepca company and fails to implement the Law provisions on Trepca.

“It is necessary for Kosovo to have functional government institutions that can make decisions and push ahead to restructure the Trepca company. Despite the role the Government must have for Trepca, what OECH has posted is important to include private capital in the Trepca company, as this in a move would reduce the role the state itself has in running and managing such a strategic enterprise for the country's economic development”, Zeka says.

At the time the Law for Trepca was adopted, the Kosovo institutions' leaders were ready to complete any procedure needed to be initiated with the implementation of this Law as soon as possible.

They had expressed optimism that with the adoption of the Law on Trepca, this company will return to its reputation in the past.

Trepca, today within Kosovo, consists of 41 different entities, which are grouped mainly into three large complexes: in the mines with flotillas, in the industrial park in Mitrovica, and in the smelter complex.

However, much of these capacities are degraded because of lack of maintenance or lack of investments and even bad exploitation in the past.