Bosnian miners' president Fikret Suljic, with the delegation's translator Tihomir Babic.
Over 20,000 miners in the two mining regions of middle Bosnia and the Tuzla basin are on strike in support of their demand for payment of wages.
They are all members of the Autonomous Union of Miners, but only 10,000 of them are able to work due to a shortage of personal safety equipment as a result of the four-year war.
It took a two-day strike to get agreement that those at work would be paid £35 per month and those unable to work would be paid £12 per month. But the wages have not been forthcoming.
Throughout the war production was maintained in very difficult circumstances, and no wages were received.
Some 500 miners were killed on the front line, 16 died in mining accidents and 56 are now unable to work because of ill-health caused by the lack of medical supplies. And all the time the miners were at work they were worried about their families with the shells raining down on the communities.
The North East NUM hosted a delegation of Bosnian miners to Britain in April. Led by their president, Fikret Suljic, the miners met Liverpool dockers. They explained:
'Throughout the war our union stood by its trade union principles, and defended the interests of all miners.'
'No one had to leave our pits because of nationality. Serbs, Muslims and Croats work side-by-side. Senior positions within our industry are still occupied by Serbs.'
'This is why we still address each other only as "comrade"'
Since the cessation of the armed conflict the miners have restored eommunications with the miners' unions of Slovenia and Croatia.
A meeting in Bulgaria with Miners from other areas of Bosnia-Herzegovina now occupied by Chetniks began the re-establishment of co-operation with miners in Serbia and Macedonia.
'We are miners, not politicians,' said Fikret. 'We have no problem working together with people who recognise each others' rights.'
To return the miners to work and maintain a strong independent union is their main concern, said the delegation.
The miners are the most cohesive section of workers in the ex-Yugoslavia, with the greatest possibility of re-establishing multi-cultural life.
In the past union activities were financed by the dues from members, with no pay for four years this has become impossible.
'During the war we worked very closely with the mine management and the Government, but things can change very fast in Bosnia.
'Our main concern is that they will try to sack the 10,000 men who cannot work. We will not accept this,' Fikret said.
Speaking of the need for the financial support and solidarity of workers in other countries, Fikret said:
'We will not beg for charity, but we believe we have a right to ask for support because if our union is destroyed, who will be next?'
In the past the miners supported workers in many countries: Vietnam, South Africa, South America. During the British miners' strike of 1984-85 they gave one day's pay every month.
'Now we need international solidarity to defend our independent union.' Fikret explained: 'There is money being made available by international governments under the Dayton reconstruction agreement, but most of this is for infrastructure and not for basic industries.
'Some funds are allocated for mine refurbishment but this work will be carried out by foreign personnel.'
'No money from these reconstrution funds is destined for the welfare of miners and their families.'
The Bosnian miners' delegation marched with sacked Liverpool dockers at the head of the May Day march through the city centre. Fikret delivered an address from the platform.
A collection at a mass meeting of the sacked dockers raised £500 for the Bosnian miners.
