Unions: Airports do not need a concessionaire who will get rich in Montenegro

Airports do not need a concessionaire that will get rich in Montenegro, but a government that will support an already successful state-owned company, said representatives of the representative unions of the Podgorica and Tivat airports.

"The government should review and direct further steps regarding the Airport concession. Instead of enriching a foreign private individual in our country, the executive branch should support the development of a domestic company whose employees are achieving historic results this year," said the representative unions of Podgorica Airport and Tivat Airport, whose presidents are Slobodan Martinović and Ljubiša Džudović.

Airports, they said, do not need a concessionaire, but rather state support to build and develop what is already functioning.

"From January 1 to September 7, we served 2,3 million passengers, which is eight percent more than last year and 16 percent more than the same period in 2019," the statement said.

Union representatives said that this success was not achieved through the engagement of concessionaires or private investors, but solely through the work and expertise of local staff and teamwork.

"Therefore, we believe that the Airports of Montenegro should remain state-owned and that there is no need to give them under concession, especially considering the irregularities and lack of transparency that accompanied the concession process," the statement added.

Union representatives said they are ready to carry out the necessary reconstruction themselves, especially of Tivat Airport, which urgently needs infrastructure improvements in order to be ready for the next season and the expected growth in traffic.

"Our profession has ready solutions and capacities to implement this work quickly and efficiently, without losing control over state property," added the union representatives.

They stated that the employees have weathered a difficult season with their dedication and commitment, and deserve to have their salaries aligned with their success, as a sign of recognition for their efforts and results.

"As social partners, we particularly emphasize that the unions have successfully completed negotiations on housing loans for employees and we expect that the implementation of this important issue, which additionally contributes to the security and motivation of workers, will begin soon," the statement concludes.