The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria and the Podkrepa Confederation of Labour want Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev to take measures to remove the Global Steel company from the Kremikovtsi iron and steel works as an undesired investor who is failing to carry out the recovery plan for the plant, Vassil Yanachkov of the Metal Workers' Federation told a protest rally on Wednesday. Economy and Energy Minister Peter Dimitrov said if Global Steel fails to fulfill its obligations to the plant, the State may take over as owner of the plant, BTA reported.

The unions also insist that five deputy ministers at different departments be removed from office, including Deputy Economy and Energy Minister Nina Radeva. The deputy ministers are monitoring the implementation of the recovery plan for Kremikovtsi.

Over 2,000 workers gathered at the protest rally, according to estimates of the two trade union organizations. The rally proceedеd under the motto: "A New Owner - A Prosperous Kremikovtsi".

The unions claim that CEO Alexander Tomov is among those responsible for the plight of Kremikovtsi.

Unless the workers' demands are satisfied within a month, they will stage a rally in Sofia to demand the government's resignation.

The unions insist that wages at the plant should be increased 25 per cent this year. Currently, monthly net wages range between 600 and 700 leva. Kremikovtsi workers have not received their wages for December, nor have they received food allowances in three months. Workers also complain of poor working conditions and the lack of protective clothing.

Speaking at a news conference, Economy and Energy Minister Peter Dimitrov said that if Global Steel fails to fulfill its investment and environmental obligations to the plant, the State may take over as owner of the plant if there are no other ways to deal with the situation.

Dimitrov said there will be important news about Kremikovtsi in the following few days, but the news is confidential and cannot be disclosed now. Important changes will be made in respect of the plant, he said.

The Minister said Kremikovtsi's closure will be avoided because the plant is a structurally important enterprise for the Bulgarian economy.

If Global Steel fails to secure between 120 million and 140 million euro by April to invest in an upgrade at Kremikovtsi, the State will use all its powers prescribed by the law to ensure that the plant goes ahead, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Yane Yanev MP of the right-wing opposition United Democratic Forces said the Environment and Water Committee in Parliament should meet urgently to discuss the environmental problems which Kremikovtsi is causing Sofia. According to him, Wednesday's protests have "destroyed the last myth that the owner is solvent, that the plant is developing and that the workers are well paid."

According to Yanev, the Environment and Water Committee should hear out Sofia Mayor Boiko Borissov and Environment and Water Minister Djevdet Chakurov. Borissov should provide reasons to support his claim that Kremikovtsi must be closed down, Yanev said, adding that the right-wing opposition parties should back Borissov. If the steel mill is closed down, the workers will be retrained under European programs, Yanev said.