Bosnian railway workers strike for back wages

Belgrade. Railway workers in Republika Srpska, the Serb-dominated entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) went on strike on Monday after no agreement could be reached by union and government representatives, reported Radio Television Republika Srpska (RTRS), Xinhua reported.

According to Zlatko Marin, president of the strike committee, railway workers are demanding the payment of back wages amounting to approximately 11 million Euros. Minister of Transport and Communications Nedeljko Cubrilovic said the government did not have the funds and that the strike would further damage the limited industrial activity of BiH.

Cubrilovic said talks would continue to find a solution. Despite austerity measures and restructuring, railway officials said they will not be able to meet more than 70 percent of current salaries.

The strike committee announced that despite having called a strike rail workers would not delay international trains, as well as those transporting livestock or perishable goods.