If metallurgical plant Kremikovtsi would not receive a complex permit by the beginning of December 2007, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB)would launch protests, Trade Union Federation "Metalworkers" ( TUFMW) head Vassil Yanachkov said.

The protests would last until the Cabinet would carry out its promises to Kremikovtsi, Yanachkov said as quoted by zagrada.bg.

Environment and Water Affairs Ministry refused to issue the permit to Kremikovtsi because the plant failed to carry out its investment programme to decrease pollution. The deadline for issuing the permit was October 30 2007.

The unions said that the Cabinet condemned the plant to closure by not coming up with a clear stand on the situation.

In addition, Kremikovtsi had the problem that its shares were blocked because of unpaid debts, zagrada.bg said. According to Yanachkov, all debts of the plant to the state were paid off.

The lack of investment by the owner and the Cabinet, which owns 25 per cent of the plant, hindered the eco-renovation of Kremikovtsi, he said. The plant would have to meet EU eco standards by 2011.

CITUB said that if the plant was modernised, it would not hinder the construction of a commercial and industrial zone in the region. Sofia's mayor Boiko Borissov and chief architect Petar Dikov said that there were already investors interested in construction in that area.

CITUB said that 6500 people were employed by Kremikovtsi and its daughter company Sofia Engineering.

source: zagrada.bg
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