Representatives of the Podkrepa Labor Confederation and of the Confederation of Independent Syndicates in Bulgaria have announced that on Monday, July 14, the workers at the largest Bulgarian steelmaker Kremikovtzi are going to launch massive protests, unless the government clarifies its position on the future of the plant.
According to the representatives of the workers' unions, on Monday the workers plan to block the Sofia-Plovdiv highway, while on Tuesday they will block the Sofia-Varna road. By the end of next week they intend to protest in front of Parliament and the Council of Ministers, where they are going set up a tent camp.
The unions' leaders are demanding that the state cancel the company's debts to the State Railway Company (BDZ) and to the National Electric Company (NEK) in order to avoid the shutdown of the plant and the resulting drop in its price.
In addition, the unions have declared that they have decided to disclaim their gentleman's agreement with ArcelorMittal, as the bidder had not paid the promised €10 million for the workers' May salaries, which was pledged in exchange for Kremikovtzi products and some of its assets.
Moreover, the workers' unions have again stated their preference for the Ukrainian bidder for Kremikovtzi, Konstantin Zhevago.