Steel mill tender extended by another two months

Dragan,

Globally, telecom companies, when run by private companies are more profitable and better for the consumer than compared to private monopolies.

Probably most things are better run by private companies than the government

You really think the gong-show that is the Serbian government is better at making steel than a steel-making company?

"The majority of the 5,000 employees in Železara are on paid leave, receiving about 60 percent of the regular earnings, while a smaller number are working at the facilities as maintenance staff."

5000 employed unemployed? I bet they vote for the communists who give them this freebies.

Pathetic, punishing the private sector to pay for the public sector.

Privatization, globally has been nothing but an utter disaster, name one place that has showed a level of success that could be enjoyed by everyone, not just the greedy top brass. Its been a sham and shame globally.

Danilo,

Again I restate, the only people that enjoy the fruits of the labour are the top brass, no one else. Yes, look at Serbia today, town by town and see what privatization has done. Most people in the outer areas seek low-wage jobs or travel to Belgrade and hope for a job. Here's one classic example of places to visit to open your eyes: Pancevo. Once/or home to: Azotara, Petrohemija, Rafinerija, Staklara, Utva, Tesla etc - now running at less than half capacity/wages slashed, all after privatization, while the clowns at the top are raking in mountains of cash monthly - a sham and shame.

There's over-capacity in the steel industry, and Americans are starting to make steel at home again because of the new availability of cheap energy (the shale-gas story), so they're probably not coming back, and the EU - this mill's natural market - is projected to be in a slump for years to come. So sell off the equipment - U.S. Steel invested millions and millions in upgrading the facility, so that should be worth something - and divide the money among the employees. It's a shame to lose them and their accumulated knowledge and experience - they have been trained up to Western standards and U.S. Steel said they were excellent workers - but if there's no market, there's no work. Some of them should probably consider applying to U.S. Steel in the States.

"The majority of the 5,000 employees in Železara are on paid leave, receiving about 60 percent of the regular earnings, while a smaller number are working at the facilities as maintenance staff."

5000 employed unemployed? I bet they vote for the communists who give them this freebies.

Pathetic, punishing the private sector to pay for the public sector.

Privatization, globally has been nothing but an utter disaster, name one place that has showed a level of success that could be enjoyed by everyone, not just the greedy top brass. Its been a sham and shame globally.

Dragan,

Globally, telecom companies, when run by private companies are more profitable and better for the consumer than compared to private monopolies.

Probably most things are better run by private companies than the government

You really think the gong-show that is the Serbian government is better at making steel than a steel-making company?

There's over-capacity in the steel industry, and Americans are starting to make steel at home again because of the new availability of cheap energy (the shale-gas story), so they're probably not coming back, and the EU - this mill's natural market - is projected to be in a slump for years to come. So sell off the equipment - U.S. Steel invested millions and millions in upgrading the facility, so that should be worth something - and divide the money among the employees. It's a shame to lose them and their accumulated knowledge and experience - they have been trained up to Western standards and U.S. Steel said they were excellent workers - but if there's no market, there's no work. Some of them should probably consider applying to U.S. Steel in the States.

Danilo,

Again I restate, the only people that enjoy the fruits of the labour are the top brass, no one else. Yes, look at Serbia today, town by town and see what privatization has done. Most people in the outer areas seek low-wage jobs or travel to Belgrade and hope for a job. Here's one classic example of places to visit to open your eyes: Pancevo. Once/or home to: Azotara, Petrohemija, Rafinerija, Staklara, Utva, Tesla etc - now running at less than half capacity/wages slashed, all after privatization, while the clowns at the top are raking in mountains of cash monthly - a sham and shame.