This article is 13 years old. Images might not display.
Miners at state-owned Maritza East Mines reportedly went on strike after the company refused to meet pay rise demands.
According to The Daily Star, about 1500 workers refused to start work in three of the company’s open-pit mines, claiming the company failed to abide by an agreement which included increasing wages in accordance with rising coal production.
Reuters reported lengthy discussions had resulted in management agreeing on a pay increase.
The news service quoted a report that said workers would receive 2.1 million levs ($1.39 million) in bonuses along with improved work conditions.
Maritza East Mines supplies 90% of all lignite coal used for electricity production in Bulgaria.
The strike forced the producer to halt all electricity exports to its customers.
Exports have not yet been restored.
"Exports will not be restored immediately after the strike is called off, because [coal] needs to be delivered to the thermal plants," Deputy Economy Minister Delyan Dobrev reportedly told bTV.
