Coal is not divided for KEK workers, Luka: They don't have to complain, their wages are up

In a proposal for Kalxo.com, Luka said that if such a request comes from the KEK board, it would be rejected by MZHE.

My position as Minister of Economic Development is to stop giving coal as a gift to KEK workers. If such a request comes from me, it will be rejected personally. Because we have said earlier that we should improve the environment in Pristina, especially. Filterless coal burning causes big problems”, Luqa said

He stressed that KEK workers now have fewer reasons for seeking coal as a gift after receiving pay raise.

“Reactions are expected, but considering that KEK workers have increased salaries for 100 euros, then this relatively eases that burden. We can co-operate with KEK to find other forms of replacement, perhaps even with wood subsidies or something, but the coal on our part will not be the acceptable asset”, Luka said.

The Kosovo Energy Corporation has not yet received requests from its coal distribution workers, which has been practical in recent years. The division of an amount of coal for all corporate workers in the past has been made following demands by the labour union. However, according to KEK, such a request for this year would be considered in more detail because of the alarm raised for air pollution by burning coal for heating.

Skender Bucolli, spokesperson at KEK, said that a eventual demand for coal from workers would be reviewed, taking into account the salary raises for workers.

“As to the practice of past years of distributing KEK's coal for workers, in case such a demand is eventually submitted, it will, however, be examined by the aspect of corporate financial opportunities, as well as the assessment of the employee's purchasing capability, which has been markedly raised thanks to the commitment of the previously mentioned management”, Bucolli said.

He also indicated that regarding a demand for coal, the Kosovo government's consent will be taken. “Whatever it is, being aware and responsible for the negative consequences of burning coal in air quality, supporting the burning of coal only through furnaces that are able to reduce harmful emissions, such an eventual requirement will be considered only after co-ordination and preliminary consent from the Actionary (government of the Republic of Kosovo)”, Bucoli said.

Albena Resiti, from the government task force for environmental protection, reaffirmed that the decision to provide coal for workers is in the hands of the Ministry of Economic Development.

I'll be at a meeting with Minister of Economic Development Valdrin Luka. In the Task Force period he's been declared not to give you free coal, but I haven't seen written decisions yet. As a task-force for lowering the level of pollution we have had an obligation to ask each ministry to assume responsibilities based on competencies that have”, Resiti said.

The ministers and deputy ministers of the Kosovo Government in March had gathered together as a “task force” to discuss preventing air pollution in Kosovo, a situation that had deteriorated during the winter season, especially in the town of Pristina, Obilik and Fushe Kosovo.