ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatian Finance Minister Ivan Suker on Friday held a meeting with representatives of the Union of Civil Servants, calling on union representatives to be patient until a new budget was defined, and warning about
the limitations imposed by the economic situation in the country and debts inherited from the former government.
ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Croatian Finance Minister Ivan Suker on Friday
held a meeting with representatives of the Union of Civil Servants,
calling on union representatives to be patient until a new budget was
defined, and warning about the limitations imposed by the economic
situation in the country and debts inherited from the former
government.#L#
Union leader Ivica Ihas informed the minister about the unfavourable
financial and social status of civil servants and urged the start of
negotiations on a new collective agreement for civil servants, the
Union said in a statement.
Ihas pointed to the problem of workers' claims, such as Christmas and
children bonuses for 2000, and called on the minister to help in
settling these disputes out of court. He also urged the introduction
of a financial police.
The minister voiced understanding for the requests, but also warned
about the economic and financial potential of the state.
A foreign debt of US23.7 billion, a stagnating GDP and the fact that
the former government spent funds in advance and exceeded the budget
by taking over contractual obligations takes a lot of patience and
understanding on both sides, at least until the government defines the
new budget, which will set the framework of social dialogue, the
minister said.
(Hina) rml