The agreement, signed on July 1, defines the rights of 55,000 civil servants over the next four years, but requires approval at a union-sponsored referendum by a majority of at least a third of the government employees required to turn out for the vote.
"We call on the people employed in state services to support the new collective agreement, because otherwise the level of the rights achieved will be reduced," the head of the Civil Servants' Trade Union, Ivica Has, said on behalf of five government employees' trade unions at a press conference.
Under the new agreement, civil servants will be entitled, among other things, to a paid annual vacation of up to 30 workdays, a 1,000 kuna Christmas bonus, and a 1,000 kuna vacation bonus.