A hiring competition for positions at the recently acquired „Vodovod Ibar,“ now under the management of the Regional Water Directorate „Mitrovica,“ is expected to be announced by Friday, according to director Bashkim Kurti. Despite assurances reportedly given to employees yesterday that they would be able to continue working, an order from Pristina arrived late in the afternoon, instructing them to vacate their offices today.
Eviction of Employees Under Police Supervision
Following the takeover of the municipal water utility, officials from the Regional Water Directorate „Mitrovica,“ including Director Bashkim Kurti and accompanied by Kosovo police, entered the company’s premises this morning.
According to employees’ testimonies, Kurti ordered them to leave the premises and remove their personal belongings. Many expressed uncertainty about whether they would be returning to their positions.
Kurti: Hiring Competition Expected by Friday
In his addressing to media afterwards, Kurti confirmed that the new directive arrived around 5 PM yesterday, mandating employees to vacate the building until the hiring process is complete
„Yesterday, around 5 PM, we received an order slightly different from the one we had that morning. We were instructed to tell the workers to leave the building until the competition is finalized,“ said Kurti.
He clarified that the directive came directly from the Kosovo government, specifically the Ministry of Economy.
„We are part of the government; water is under the control of the government, specifically the Ministry of Economy, which means we receive orders directly from them,“ Kurti explained.
He emphasized that his focus is on water supply services, distancing himself from political implications.
„I don’t want to get involved in politics because it’s not in our interest to talk about it. Our interest is ensuring water supply for our citizens—that’s what matters to me, nothing else,“ he stated.
Translation of Application Documents Underway
Kurti also mentioned that preparations for the hiring competition are well underway, including translating necessary application documents.
„We agreed with Vučinić that he would prepare everything we need for the competition. Colleagues are already working on translating the application documents into Serbian. If everything goes as planned, it will be announced by Friday. Everyone interested will be able to apply,“ Kurti assured.
More Employees Than Needed
Kurti noted that workers previously employed under the Serbian system would have a hiring advantage.
„We saw some statements yesterday expressing fear among citizens, but we have been supplying water to Mitrovica and Zvecan for 26 years, since the war. We have never had problems, and we won’t have them now. We are the only company licensed to operate, and we have a contract with the municipality to supply water. We have to do this. The colleagues who have been working so far can transfer to us, but through the competition,“ Kurti emphasized.
He provided details on current employment figures, stating that around 80 people work in Mitrovica, with an additional 50 each in Leposavic and Zubin Potok.
„From the information I have, there are about 80 workers in Mitrovica and 50 each in Zubin Potok and Leposavic. In those two locations, the employees handle both water supply and municipal services, including sanitation. This is not the case in Mitrovica, where the services are separated,“ he explained.
When asked about the fate of sanitation workers, Kurti responded that those working in the water supply sector would need to transition, while sanitation staff would be handled by the municipality.
Regarding the status of workers from the Mitrovica water utility, Kurti said all would be eligible to apply but acknowledged that the current number of employees exceeds the needs of the Mitrovica water supply system.
„There are more workers than necessary, but everyone will be treated equally during the competition,“ Kurti concluded.
Regional Water Company Takes Over Serbian-Run Utility in North Mitrovica Amid Police Support
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