The government is within reach of a solution to get out of the crisis of the "Simo Miilošević" Institute.
This was announced by the Government, after the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister Srđan Pavićević and the Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun to that health facility, where they spoke with the management and union representatives.
The solution around which there is the greatest degree of agreement and which, as the announcement states, does not conflict with the rules and principles of granting state aid is the rescue and restructuring, i.e. rebranding plan, which involves three steps.
This refers to aid of a small value of EUR 300.000 to ensure the continuation of work, then aid of up to EUR 10 million, which is given for six months in order to unblock accounts, continue work and pay salaries, with the obligation to create a high-quality restructuring plan during those six months. will go through the procedure of approval by the competent authorities and get a permit for implementation. In this way, as stated, conditions will be created for multi-million dollar investments in further revitalization and rebranding of the Igalo Institute.
"This kind of plan not only solves the acute crisis in which the Institute finds itself, but also opens up opportunities to expand and improve business in all segments, both in the medium and long term. In this way, the Institute could refresh its already existing brand and raise its competitiveness on foreign market," the announcement states.
Pavićević, it is added, outlined the necessary steps of the plan as well as the timelines with the conviction that the Commission for resolving the status of the Institute, which was formed by the 44th Government in mid-February, "with its dedication and seriousness has already done more for the Institute than several previous governments."
"We have come to assure you that we are working hard to preserve the Institute in the interest of 5.000 domestic patients, in the interest of its competitiveness on the foreign market, in the interest of the state and all employees. In order for them to emerge from this dramatic situation as winners, we first of all need trust , the consensus of all involved parties and just a little more patience. With a full understanding of the existential problems faced by employees due to three unpaid salaries, the risk is far greater to apply partial and ad hoc solutions that are not of high quality and sustainable. Bankruptcy is not an option, but neither is a strike is not part of the solution, but of increasing the problem. We are here to assure you that the Commission and the Government approach the situation with utmost responsibility and dedication, while we expect from your side that, on the basis of mutual trust and constant communication, with a small dose of additional patience, we will reach a solution that will be a qualitative step forward in business and long-term profit for the state, patients and employees of the Institute. Because every problem that is inadequately solved only gets bigger," said Pavićević.'
According to the Government's press release, he assured the interlocutors that without unnecessary platitudes about the importance of the Institute, the Commission dealing with it, as well as the Government, have no strategic dilemmas regarding its survival, with the imperative that the solution must be found within the legal framework.
Pavićević and Šimun, it is added, are in agreement that employee lawsuits, the announcement of a strike and the possible interruption of business with a minimum of work processes, can only speed up bankruptcy, from which the Institute is only one step away.
Šimun told the interlocutors that the Institute is on the daily agenda of the Commission and members of the Government.
"Decisive steps have already been taken and the way out of the crisis is very clearly in sight, and it would be disastrous at this moment to jeopardize the project of saving the Institute with some thoughtless and unnecessary steps," said Šimun
He added that no one in the Government questions the survival of the Institute.
The President of the Union of the Institute, Marija Obradović, said that the strike is not an option and the choice of the employees.
"It is forced by the difficult financial condition of the employees. We all love the Institute and would not be here if we did not have empathy for our patients and hope for better days".
The director of the Igalo Institute, Zoran Kovačević, said that "we must not do anything to further complicate the situation".
"It is clear that the sooner the Institute's account is unblocked, the sooner the process of healing the institution will begin, for the benefit of patients, all employees and shareholders," Kovačević said.
Bonus video:
