The Kosovo Government has stated that it is “committed” to supporting the Trepça enterprise for its development and growth of economic potential but has called on its management to reduce expenses and increase production.

This response comes after miners at the Trepça metallurgical complex, located in Mitrovica, went on strike at the beginning of July due to unpaid wages for June and the lack of daily meal provisions.

The Chairman of the Miners’ Union, Ibrahim Jonuzi, told Radio Free Europe that the miners will not resume work unless their wages are paid.

The CEO of Trepça, Bashkim Kurti, mentioned that he has requested additional funds from the government to cover the miners’ wages.

In a statement to the media, the Government did not specify whether it would provide additional funds for wages but stated that “support depends on the concrete plan and commitment to reduce expenses and resume production growth”.

It was mentioned that in the first half of this year, the government allocated a subsidy of €3.3 million, but “the enterprise has operated at a loss due to production delays and insufficient revenue”.

These funds were insufficient to cover operating expenses and staff wages.

“The Kosovo Government expects the enterprise to ensure an increase in revenue production and a reduction in expenses as the only way to achieve stabilisation of the operational and financial situation of the enterprise and regular, sustainable compensation for employees,” the statement reads.

Trepça employs a total of 1,200 miners, with an average wage of €740.

The Trepça miners have found themselves in a similar situation several times over the past year.

At the end of October 2023, they went on strike within the mine for ten consecutive days due to unpaid wages and complaints about working conditions.