SOLIDARITY: In Rožaje, the salaries of clerks have been reduced
The local self-government has decided to tighten its belt and to help overcome financial problems in two Rožaj utility companies through savings on various grounds. First of all, as of this month, salaries have been reduced by 10 percent for all employees in the Municipality, as well as public companies and institutions of which it is the founder.
The mayor of Rožaj, Nusret Kalač, explained that salaries in local government and public enterprises were lower than in other Montenegrin cities, but also that they were not aligned with the level of development, considering that the city on the Ibar is one of the least developed in to the state.
"Another important moment that led us to opt for such a solution is the fact that we in the utility companies, which are in quite serious financial problems, thought that we should try to find a way to solve these problems from our own sources. First of all, they refer to outstanding tax and contribution debts amounting to between 700 and 800 thousand euros, and 80 percent of these debts are from the earlier period when they operated as a single company," said Kalač.
By reducing wages by 10 percent, between 14 and 15 thousand euros will be saved. About 70 percent of that money will be directed to the payment of taxes and contributions to utility companies, and the rest will be used for the professional training of young people graduating from universities.
In addition to salary cuts, the local administration decided on other savings measures.
"Savings are planned at all levels, except for providing conditions for regular business. "Material costs will be reduced, expenses for electricity, telephone, fuel, office supplies, certain activities, participation in various events and more," said Kalač.
From the sale of social property this year, half of the money will go to settle taxes and contributions to communal companies, and an order was also given to sell real estate at the bus station, which belongs to Komunalno, and which is worth about 200,000 euros.
"I believe that we should bear the burden of these two companies in solidarity and that we have made a good move with these decisions, so by the end of next year, if we consistently adhere to these measures, we will bring these two collectives to the level where they can operate independently economically Kalac said.
Higher service prices are not an option
At no time did Kalač consider an alternative to the decisions made, which refers to the increase in the prices of services in the companies "Kumunalno" and "Vodovod i kanalizacija", because, as he pointed out, he does not want additional ballast for citizens.
"In order for these debts not to be at the expense of the capital budget, I think it is a better solution for us employees to share the burden." If we wanted to remedy the situation by increasing the prices of services, this would mean a price increase of at least 30 to 40 percent, which would be borne by the citizens. We believe that, taking into account the economic situation in Rožaje, this would create a very serious problem".
"By increasing the prices, we would possibly create assumptions that even those who are regular payers will be in a position where they cannot meet their obligations, considering that they are mostly pensioners and those who do not have any other sources of income. I believe that this is a better and more effective measure, and a safer source of income," said Kalač.
News
