ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - At Thursday's session the Croatian government will endorse a bill on amendments to the Labour Act (the so-called ZOR) while at the closed section of the session the government is expected to discuss a bill on
preventing the conflict of interests while holding office.
ZAGREB, Jan 22 (Hina) - At Thursday's session the Croatian
government will endorse a bill on amendments to the Labour Act (the
so-called ZOR) while at the closed section of the session the
government is expected to discuss a bill on preventing the conflict
of interests while holding office. #L#
The bill on the prevention of conflict of interests while
performing public duties had already been forwarded in the
parliamentary procedure more than a year ago. However, as the time
allowed for the second reading has passed, the bill is being
forwarded into its first reading again.
The bill would define the circle of officials that the law would
relate to.
It would also define that officials would have a month after taking
office to submit a report of their assets and permanent income as
well as any assets owned by spouses or children. Officials would be
obliged to submit a similar statement each year as well as at the end
of their term of office. The bill also proposes that officials would
not receive their salaries until such an assets report was
submitted. The bill also foresees that information on tax cards for
officials should be publicly known.
The bill also regulates the issue of gifts so that officials would
be allowed to keep any gifts up to the value of 500 kuna (66 euros)
without having to report them to the Commission that would be set up
by the Sabor.
Gifts valued up to the average salary could also be kept but these
would need to be reported and any gifts over this value would become
the property of the country.
In addition to their salaries, officials would not be allowed any
other wage or allowance with the exception of royalties, patent or
other intellectual or industrial ownership fees.
They would be forbidden to be members of managing or supervisory
boards in commercial companies.
Any official violating the law would pay financial penalties,
Another measures in case of the violation are reprimands as well as
a public announcement by the Commission that the conflict of
interests exists. The aim of the final measure, as explained, is to
inform the public of any possible violation and in that way expose a
violator to political sanctions.
(hina) sp ms sb