Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting with representatives of the Association of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia that the country is on the right track to find a solution for the approximately 40 companies in restructuring. Vucic told reporters in the Serbian government, after a meeting with union representatives led by Ljubisav Orbovic, that there is a possibility to find a strategic partner for 40 out of 156 companies.
The government is ready to write off debts of the companies Simpo and Zelezara Smederevo to the state, which make up as much as 65% of all debts of companies in restructuring.
The state of Serbia claims €2.4 billion from companies in restructuring, the Prime Minister specified and explained that these are dead debts.
He said that until the state finds a solution to the problems of these companies it has to set aside €750 million for them every year.
If the state solves the problem of Zelezara Smederevo and the chemical complex, along with economic measures and fiscal consolidation measures, in 2016 Serbia could be one of the European countries with the highest growth, the Prime Minister said.
Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin explained that the rights of employees in the companies in restructuring will be solved and regulated through relevant decisions of the Serbian government.
Orbovic said that it was agreed with the Prime Minister that the problems should be solved by industry and voiced hope that the first results will be visible in the next few months.
Source Serbian Government
