Serbia marks Miners' Day amid calls for improved safety

Serbia celebrated Miners' Day on August 6, with President Aleksandar Vučić, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, and Minister of Mining Dubravka Đedović Handanović extending congratulations to all workers in the sector. They acknowledged the dedication, responsibility, and perseverance of miners, with Vučić emphasizing mining's role as a pillar of the economy and energy stability.

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mining remains one of the pillars of the economy and energy stability of the country.

However, the Workers' Party offered a contrasting perspective, asserting that the day is not for congratulations but for accountability. They argued that the state has failed to adequately ensure miner safety and improve their living conditions. The party's statement highlighted long-standing warnings about safety being sacrificed for production and profit, citing ignored alerts about unsafe working conditions and preventable fatalities.

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miners are more than workers, and factories, roads, cities, and the future of the country are built on their efforts.

Minister Đedović Handanović noted that the mining sector currently employs over 32,000 people and holds a significant place in Serbia's economy, contributing 2.9% to the gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2026. The Workers' Party, through Veselinović, president of the United Trade Unions of Serbia 'Sloga,' pointed to the "Soko" mine tragedy, where eight miners died, as an example of a lack of accountability for such incidents. Miners from the "Jama" company of Serbia Zijin Copper also laid flowers at a memorial plaque for Franjo Šistek, an early pioneer of mining in Bor.

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the mining sector today employs more than 32,000 people and has a significant place in the Serbian economy.