Aluminij
Aluminij d.d. Mostar is a company based in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and owned by Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a large regional producer of aluminium, with sales of 135 million tons of aluminium in 2006.[1]
The facilities of the company were destroyed during the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and were later rebuilt.[2]
As of 2007[update], the company was owned 44% by the government, 44% by workers and former workers and 12% by the Croatian Privatization Fund.[3] The government's and workers' shares are to be sold to international investors.[4]
Aluminij d.d. Mostar is one of the most influential companies in the city, region, but also country. In relation to the current manufacturing capacity it generates an annual export of more than 150 million euros.
The partners with which the Aluminij does business are renowned global companies, from which the most important are: Venture Coke Company L.L.C. (Venco-Conoco joint Venture) from the USA, Glencore International AG from Switzerland, Debis International trading GmbH, Daimler-Chrysler, Hydro ASA from Norway, Fiat from Italy, and TLM-Šibenik from Croatia.[5]
Mostar area alone receives an income of 40 million euros annually from Aluminij. That kind of development trend enabled investments in cultural institutions, among which are: the construction of the little scene of the Croatian National Theatre in Mostar and Aluminij Gallery.[6] (one of the most important for the city of Mostar and wider region).
History
Amnesty International alleges that, during the civil war, the company "...pursued a policy of ethnic discrimination, the effects of which continue to be felt, and elements of which continue to be practised" leading the company to "...become a company with an overwhelmingly ethnic Croat workforce".[7]
Aluminij strenuously deny this allegation, saying "Aluminij d.d. Mostar is one of rare companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina which has worked in accordance to the laws and which has completely implemented the same".[8]
References
- ^ Deloitte report into privatization of company 2006, page 1, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ VAW-technologie puts Aluminij Mostar on top: state-of-the-art reduction plant will result from modernisation project. Aluminium International Today (Jan-Feb 2002 issue), quoted in AllBusiness.com, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ Deloitte report into privatization of company 2006, page 2, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ PUBLIC INVITATION FOR ALUMINIJ D.D. MOSTAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 5.3.2007., Privatizacija u Federaciji BiH, dated 28 February 2007, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ Aluminij website, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ Aluminij website, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ Letter following up the Amnesty International report "Bosnia and Herzegovina - Behind closed gates: ethnic discrimination in employment" 26 May 2006, quoted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, accessed 16 April 2007
- ^ Letter following up the Amnesty International report "Bosnia and Herzegovina - Behind closed gates: ethnic discrimination in employment" 6 February 2006, quoted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, accessed 16 April 2007