Kragujevac, September 10, 2001 (Beta) - Out of 29,951 workers on the payroll at Zastava in Kragujevac, around 14,000 are redundant, most of whom (8,904) have opted to join the Employment and Training Zastava Co.

The Serbian Finance Ministry will provide for employees who chose to remain unemployed (totaling 2,819). The first installment worth DM9.3 million was supplied by the Serbian government and every worker will receive up to DM3,500 in YU dinars.

Severance pay has already been distributed to 2,599 workers in the amount of YUD267 million, while another 220 workers will receive their pay over the next few days.

The second installment, as per an agreement with the Serbian government, will be paid out on December 20, and another DM2.5 million will need to be provided.

Another 238 workers chose to apply for a job at the Labour Market Bureau, where they will receive all the benefits provided for by the law.

The workers who chose to transfer to Employment and Training Zastava Co., are still free to reconsider their decision and apply for a job at the Labour Market Bureau.