Sobotka: State will not pay debts of mining firm OKD

The Czech government will not pay the debts of the private owners of coal company OKD, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Tuesday. He said it was willing to help those who will eventually be laid off from OKD. Mr. Sobotka made the comment a day before a meeting between Industry and Trade Minister Jan Mládek and President Miloš Zeman; the latter has suggested the ailing company could be nationalised. The owners of OKD have threatened to declare it insolvent as early as Friday unless the government steps in to help. The indebted mining firm employs almost 10,000 people.

Author: Ian Willoughby