RAILWAYMEN AFRAID OF MÁV CLOSEDOWN

’If instead of the planned reform only crisis management goes on, it may lead to the death of the Hungarian State Railway Company (MÁV)’, said Dezső Simon, president of the railway workers’ trade union in Debrecen yesterday.

He said also that instead of MÁV which has been gradually deprived of its sources some other foreign railway company may take over the work of transport on rail. He criticized the fact that MÁV was undertaking guarantees for a new loan of HUF 60 billion which adds to the present loss of HUF 60 billion and means a HUF 120 billion debt. According to the trade union leader there is no money for development but the 20 pc staff reduction and the staff exchange of qualified workers are on the agenda though with the out- of- date equipments and without technological development it is irrelevant who work for MÁV. Dezső Simon has also criticized the state company for wishing to liquidate the whole social benefit system attained one hundred years ago.István Csillag, Minister of Transport said they wanted to obtain new means of transport and did not plan the closedown of MÁV and all such rumours were without grounds and could be part of Mr Simon’s campaign to have himself reelected as leader of the trade union.

Translated by Péter Szentmihályi Szabó