"Trustee in bankruptcy Darko Sket should try to activate the production even without a strategic partner, because it is difficult to find a serious partner in a short period of time," Begovic told Hina.
Employees will receive their wages for August and there is a bank guarantee in case Mechel decides to cancel the 3.6 million-euro contract, Begovic said and added that 1,620 workers would receive six minimum wages.
Union leaders in Sisak Ironworks, Mato Somic and Sinisa Jurilj, said unions would make a decision on further moves regarding the protection of workers' rights on Wednesday.
Mechel Ironworks Sisak said in a statement on Tuesday that it made a decision to suspend its operations, adding that the company was conducting consultations with the Croatian government on exit mechanisms.
Mechel Ironworks Sisak officials said the decision was made because market conditions regarding the company's production and raw materials used in the production had drastically changed.
"Given the above stated factors the company made a decision to suspend operations," the statement said.
The contract with Russia's Mechel was signed on 6 February 2003 and on 10 March, after it received bank guarantees, the Croatian government adopted necessary decision under which the contract on the sale of the Sisak Ironworks became effective.