The Zagreb-based waste recycling plant "CIOS" will make a review of the plants of the Split-based steel mill next week before it decides whether it will take the factory on lease and resume the production, according to the results of Thursday's talks between disgruntled workers of the steel mill, who arrived in Zagreb for talks with government officials, and Economy and Transport Ministers Djuro Popijac and Bozidar Kalmeta.
Minister Popijac said that the priority was to resume the production amidst unsolved ownership relations.
According to him, CIOS executives confirmed they would visit Splitska Zeljezara on Monday or Tuesday to get an insight into the plants.
In parallel, the authorities will seek legal ways to ensure the takeover of the production by CIOS, the minister said.
Some 150 workers who came to the capital today will stay overnight in order to continue their protest in front of the Zagreb Cathedral on Friday, insisting on being received by Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
A majority of the 400 workers on the steel mill's payroll have not been working for a year and a half, as parts of the mill have been closed. All this time they have been receiving a minimum monthly salary of HRK 2,000.
The dissatisfied employees also insist on the cancellation of the agreement with the company's current owner, Poland's Zlomrex concern.
The Polish company today stated that it was considering the solutions proposed by the Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP) and that it would need a few more days to take a final position on the proposals.
Later on Thursday, the Fund called on Zlomrex to pay HRK 87 million in corporate guarantees in the next eight days or accept a consensual termination of the agreement.
