Montenegro’s energy sector executives have come under scrutiny following a recent revelation by Ivan Vukovic, a member of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS). Vukovic disclosed salary information for top officials in state-owned energy companies, a data set that had been inaccessible to the public for months. His findings were shared through a post on Facebook titled “Salaries in the Energy Sector,” which included a document detailing both gross and net earnings of various leaders in the industry.
The announcement coincided with a significant increase in fuel prices, with euro-diesel rising by €0.16 and petrol by €0.07. This price hike has caused long lines at gas stations across Montenegro, intensifying public concern over the government’s handling of the ongoing energy crisis. Vukovic noted the government’s inability to address these issues effectively, questioning the whereabouts of Prime Minister Milojko Spajic during this pressing time.
According to Vukovic’s disclosures, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) earns a net salary of €5,138.35. In contrast, the company’s executive director receives €4,784.43. Other salaries disclosed include the chairman of the Board of Directors of CEDIS at €4,472.47 and the chairman of the Board of Directors of Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem (CGES) at €4,316.04.
The executive directors of CGES and CEDIS earn €3,791.91 and €3,857.80 respectively, while the executive director of the Rudnik uglja takes home €3,570.45. In comparison, the executive director of Željezara earns €2,313.87, the executive director of Solar gradnja receives €2,857.61, and the executive director of COTEE has a salary of €2,711.93.
In his post, Vukovic emphasized the difficulty in obtaining this information prior to its release, highlighting the need for transparency within the energy sector. The accompanying document provided a comprehensive overview of the earnings for board members and executive directors across these enterprises, prompting discussions on salary disparities amid rising costs for citizens.
The implications of these salary figures are significant, especially in light of the ongoing economic challenges facing many Montenegrins. As public dissatisfaction grows, the government will likely face increased pressure to address not only the rising cost of living but also the transparency and accountability of public sector salaries.
