Zenica miners stay in Raspotočje shaft protesting unpaid wages

A group of miners from the Zenica soft‑coal mine (RMU Zenica) have remained inside the Raspotočje shaft for a third and fourth night, refusing to leave until their overdue salaries are paid. Union vice‑president Elvedin Alić said ten miners are still in the shaft, with health conditions reported as good.

The protest stems from unpaid May and June wages that were promised earlier this month, while a July salary is also pending. The miners cite a lack of concrete payment dates from the state‑owned Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine and a recent letter from Minister Vedran Lakić that offered no specifics. Temporary health‑card verification was granted until 6 September, but the three mines in the Zenica‑Doboj canton owe the health insurance fund over 175 million KM, a debt that has not been addressed.

The standoff highlights growing distrust of union leaders and government officials among the workers.