01.12.2023.
Meeting of Representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Union of Zastava Arms Company
Meeting of Representatives of Ministry of Defence and Union of Zastava Arms Company
At the request of several unions of Zastava Arms Company, the Ministry of Defence has organised a meeting to jointly consider the issues significant for the business of the factory and the status of the employees.
The participants of the meeting were also heads of Private Offices of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Žarko Mićin and Brigadier General Goran Momčilović, Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović PhD, Acting Assistant Minister of Defence for Human Resources Siniša Radović, Director General of factory “Zastava Arms” Saša Milošević, and presidents and chief commissioners of the Association of free and independent unions - Snežana Vasiljević, of Industrial Union - Dragan Milosavljević, Independent Union - Veselin Jevremović, and Free Union - Goran Mandić.Unfortunately, representatives of other unions did not respond to the invitation of the Ministry of Defence though some of them had requested a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Defence.
The representatives of the unions presented key problems that the employees of the factory “Zastava Arms” face, and they expressed their expectation that those problems would be resolved jointly in cooperation with the factory leadership and with the support of the Ministry of Defence and Government of the Republic of Serbia.After constructive talks, it was confirmed that the Ministry of Defence and the Republic of Serbia recognise the importance of Zastava Arms factory as the oldest factory of Serbian Defence Industry, and assurances were given that the factory employees could count on unreserved support of the state. This is supported by the fact that financial resources have already been approved and paid to the factory for the new investment cycle of the Government of the Republic of Serbia with a view of enhancing production capacities and mastering modern technologies that will considerably contribute to technological capabilities of the factory for the production of modern weapons for the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces, and the business of the factory on the market.
In 2023, Zastava Arms has made a considerable progress in terms of contracting scope which is by almost 80% higher than the contracting in 2022, while contracting with the Ministry of Defence has been significantly increased. In that regard, representatives of the Ministry of Defence conveyed the satisfaction of the Serbian Armed Forces with the quality and dynamic of delivery of newly developed weapons that Zastava Arms had delivered in this year.Business conditions that have been improved in 2023 will ensure a stable financial situation in the factory and certain payment of salaries to the employees.
Like before, the Ministry of Defence remains open for talks with union representatives aimed at maintaining the constructive dialogue and enhancing the position and work conditions of all employees of Serbian Defence Industry companies.
