Former employees of “Vektra Jakić” in Pljevlja have urged Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to intervene in addressing the issues facing the company, which has been in bankruptcy for over a year. They seek assistance in recovering their unpaid wages and the acknowledgment of their work experience.

Workers’ representative Žarko Mazalica informed “Vijesta” that the company owner Dragan Brkovic has not paid them 15 to 20 times their owed salaries, nor has their work experience been acknowledged for the past two to five years.

He further stated that former employees of “Vektra Jakić” plan to assemble next week outside the company’s gates to discuss organizing protests and road blockades.

“We have been informed by the bankruptcy trustee that if any property is sold, the employees will not receive any funds as all proceeds will go to OTP Bank due to a mortgage on “Vektra Jakić” properties. We had hoped to receive compensation from the sale of a prosecutor’s office building earmarked for 425,000 euros by the state, but we learned that we are not entitled to any of that either. We also anticipated receiving payments from the sale of the land owned by “Građevinar,” which recently sold for 180,000 euros, but again, we were left empty-handed. Additionally, we have not seen any funds from the asphalt base lease to Rudnik Uglja. Sales keep happening, yet we haven’t received payments. This is why we are calling on Prime Minister Milojko Spajić to address our plight,” Mazalica expressed.

He noted that there are 150 former employees awaiting back pay. Of that group, 80 have initiated lawsuits, and only 20 have succeeded in recovering their claims.

“Mr. Spajić, all we seek are our rightful salaries. We have been owed since December 12, 2018. Our attempts for a peaceful resolution have gone unnoticed, prompting us to announce a gathering next week to discuss possible road blockades,” Mazalica stated.

At the end of June last year, Spajić mentioned that the situation regarding “Vektra Jakić” would be addressed during the current government’s term.

He made these remarks at a panel organized by his party in Pljevlja when responding to a citizen’s inquiry about the government’s plans to reactivate the factory.

Spajić acknowledged the complexities surrounding “Vektra Jakić” from both property and legal standpoints.

“We have creditors and former investors who have suffered considerable losses. There exists a legal tangle that is not easily untangled. I assure everyone that we will resolve this situation entirely during this government’s mandate and will strive to not only resume wood processing in Pljevlja but also to advance the production of furniture and other higher-quality wood products,” Spajić remarked, providing no specifics on the approach.

The Commercial Court initiated bankruptcy proceedings against “Vektra Jakić” over a year ago at the request of the Revenue and Customs Administration due to tax debts and concessions.

Total reported claims amounted to over 150 million euros, with OTP Bank being the largest creditor, claiming nearly 113 million euros.

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