Today, around fifty former employees of the Pljevlja-based firm “Vektra Jakić” held a blockade on the Pljevlja-Prijepolje road for an hour, near the state driving school on the outskirts of Pljevlja.

They state that they were compelled to take this action due to their inability to collect owed wages for several years.

The workers announced plans to block all three roads leading into Pljevlja on Wednesday at 12 noon, unless Prime Minister Milojko Spajić guarantees that their outstanding payments will be settled.

Representing the workers, Žarko Mazalica indicated that Dragan Brković, the owner of “Vektra Jakić,” owes the workers between 15 to 20 times their salaries, with contributions not paid for two to five years.

He mentioned that the total debts owed to former employees of “Vektra Jakić” from 2017 to 2023 amount to 1,222,900 euros, contrary to the 320,000 euros they were initially informed about.

“We are gathered here today because Brković has deceived us all and left millions in debt to the state. He has caused extensive damage to the state and has been unresponsive to our needs. He received a loan from the Abu Dhabi Fund, which Spajić will have to repay. Brković was in a dispute with Mr. Ivanovic, a former minister. I urge Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to engage in resolving this issue and ensure that the workers receive their owed salaries. Our sole concern is getting our long-awaited salaries. If we do not hear back from him by 12 noon on Wednesday, we will block all three entry points to the city from Prijepolje, Podgorica, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH),” expressed Mazalica, who criticized former colleagues who did not participate in yesterday’s protest.

He emphasized that he had made numerous appeals to the governments led by Duško Marković, Zdravko Krivokapić, and Dritan Abazović.

“Each promised to reopen the factory, pay us all, and close down Brković, yet nothing has come to fruition. Abazović personally assured me he would start the factory and settle payments to all workers and put an end to Brković’s dealings. When Spajić came into power, he claimed to prioritize resolving the ‘Vektra Jakić’ matter. However, to this day, nothing has been done,” said Mazalica.

He mentioned that Spajić ensured wages for the workers at the “Košuta” factory in Cetinje, who had not requested assistance until Spajić took office.

“Workers from ‘Košuta’ were promptly addressed, while we, with substantial evidence against Brković, have been left to fend for ourselves. The state sold him millions worth of companies for just 100,000 euros, and now everyone is evading the resolution of our issue,” asserted Mazalica.

He added that the workers are weary from waiting, noting that several former colleagues have passed away without receiving their due payments.

“We are compelled to pursue our rightful earnings in this manner. We have fought for eight years for what is justly ours, but instead of receiving support, we have faced division and manipulation. Brković transferred our work records from one company to another to strip us of our rights, while the bankruptcy trustee claims there is no basis for our salary payments. Instead of punishing the one who has taken from us, we are the ones being punished,” stated Mazalica.

The workers view their predicament as a blatant example of neglect and injustice from the responsible institutions.

Former employees of “Vektra Jakić” vow not to relent until they receive what is rightfully theirs and are urging relevant institutions to act swiftly.

They anticipated compensation from the sale of “Vektra Jakić” assets.

“We received word from the bankruptcy trustee that if any property is sold, employees will not see a cent, as all proceeds will go to OTP Bank due to the mortgage on ‘Vektra Jakić’s property. We hoped to get money from the sale of the prosecutor’s office building, which the state had planned to purchase for 425,000 euros; instead, we were told we have no claim to that as well. Furthermore, we expected payments from the sale of land to the ‘Građevinar’, acquired by the Coal Mine for 180,000 euros, but again, we were left empty-handed. We also received nothing from the leasing of the asphalt base to the Coal Mine. The sales keep happening, yet we receive no payment,” lamented Mazalica.

Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić, remarked in late June of last year that the situation regarding “Vektra Jakić” would be resolved during the current government’s term.

Spajić acknowledged the complexity of the “Vektra Jakić” issue from a legal standpoint.

“The ‘Vektra Jakić’ issue is incredibly complicated in terms of property and law, with numerous creditors and former investors having been poorly treated. Thus, resolving the legal entanglement is not straightforward. I assure everyone that we will address this matter before the end of our term and will strive not only to restore wood processing to Pljevlja but also to elevate production level to manufacturing furniture and other high-quality wooden products, beyond simple primary production,” Spajić stated at the time, though he did not provide further details on the approach.

Bankruptcy proceedings for “Vektra Jakić” began just over a year ago at the request of the Revenue and Customs Administration due to tax and concession debts.

The total reported claims exceeded 150 million euros, with OTP Bank holding the largest claim at nearly 113 million euros.

Production at “Vektra Jakić” was halted on December 12, 2018, when employees were directed to the Labor Bureau.

Since declaring bankruptcy, three bankruptcy trustees have been replaced.

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