Former employees of Montenegro Airlines (MA) are voicing their frustrations as they mark the fifth anniversary of the airline’s grounding and subsequent bankruptcy, which occurred in April 2021. The closure left many workers without their final seven salaries and has resulted in over three years of unpaid wages for those who dedicated decades to the state-owned carrier.
In a public statement, former employees highlighted their concerns, emphasizing that they had warned decision-makers about the detrimental impact of shutting down the airline. They believe that the decision to close MA was driven by a pre-existing agenda within the government, rather than genuine financial necessity. “Today, five years after the suspension of operations, we can conclude that MA was abandoned due to animosity towards us and personal interests of certain high-ranking members of the government,” stated Miljan Perović and Srđa Habić, representatives of the former employees.
Unfulfilled Promises and Mismanagement
The former workers argue that officials inaccurately claimed there was no legal framework to sustain the airline, despite the existence of the Lex Specialis—a law intended for the consolidation of MA that could have been applied during the closure process. They also pointed out that, in addition to unpaid wages, no social program has been implemented for the former workers. This lack of support stands in stark contrast to the severance packages received by employees of other state-owned enterprises.
The situation is further complicated by past remarks from Milojko Spajić, the Finance Minister at the time, who dismissed the airline’s workforce as “some worthless workers.” In response, Perović and Habić reiterated that MA possessed significant assets, both tangible and intangible, including 11.2 million USD allocated for aircraft maintenance. The fate of these funds remains unclear, raising questions about the management decisions leading to the airline’s demise.
They also challenged the assertion that a new airline would incur no costs for the government, revealing that the initial capital investment amounted to 30 million EUR, along with additional funds injected into the new company through various means. The former employees expressed skepticism about the new airline’s ability to fulfill its intended role, pointing to the government’s inclination towards low-cost carriers, which they fear may lead to a similar fate as MA.
Persistent Advocacy and Lack of Response
For the past five years, the former employees have repeatedly met with various government representatives, only to find themselves recounting the same grievances to different officials. Despite drafting solutions for social programs, they received little to no acknowledgment, even from former ministers like Mladen Bojanić and Ervin Ibrahimović. As faith in the rule of law dwindled, they reached out to embassies of Western democracies and the EU office in Podgorica, asserting that their basic human and labor rights were being violated.
In their communication with the EU, they were informed that their claims would be addressed in the bankruptcy process. However, the bankruptcy proceedings have been dragging on without resolution, leading to further frustration. “The bankruptcy judge Ivan Kovacević and bankruptcy administrator Milan Radulović are failing to take necessary actions to liquidate MA’s valuable assets, instead prolonging the agony of former employees,” Perović and Habić claimed.
Newly appointed EU delegation chief Johan Satler suggested they contact the ombudsman to address alleged violations of their rights and to seek legal recourse if necessary. They expressed skepticism about this recommendation, noting that they had already approached the ombudsman years ago without receiving any feedback.
As they reflect on their struggles, the former employees of MA stress their hope that no one else will experience the same hardships they have faced, particularly the abrupt termination of employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. They extend their best wishes for the New Year and holiday season, underscoring their desire for a resolution to their plight that has persisted over half a decade.
