ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - The head of Croatia's Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (HHO), Zarko Puhovski, stated on Friday that the announced amendments to the Labour Act could have disastrous consequences for the state of human rights
in Croatia.
ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - The head of Croatia's Helsinki Committee for
Human Rights (HHO), Zarko Puhovski, stated on Friday that the
announced amendments to the Labour Act could have disastrous
consequences for the state of human rights in Croatia. #L#
Restricting workers' rights in an undeveloped market, destroyed by
privatisation crime and the high unemployment rate, could threaten
the existence of many citizens, Puhovski said during a round table
discussion on amendments to the Labour Act, organised by the HHO.
However, due to the current situation in society, a possible
general strike could be just as detrimental, he added.
Puhovski supported the resolution of disputes through dialogue and
agreement between social partners.
Kresimir Sever, the leader of the Independent Croatian Unions, said
that unions members and citizens in general considered the
amendments unacceptable.
The president of the Association of Workers' Trade Unions, Boris
Kunst, believes that the amendments will not increase employment
opportunities and that the restriction of workers' rights will
cheapen Croatia's labour force.
Vitomir Begovic, the head of the government's Office for Social
Partnership, said there was a great deal of dialogue between the
social partners, however, not all sides were willing to reach
agreement.
The head of the Croatian Association of Employers, Zeljko
Ivancevic, believes the law should legalise what has been agreed on
by the employers and unions, however, he claims that the unions did
not respond to two invitations by the employers to sit down and
negotiate but decided to negotiate directly with the government.
The chairwoman of the parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social
Welfare, Snjezana Biga Friganovic, said the amendments would be
adopted in regular procedure, with two readings, and as part of a
package of social security measures intended for workers who are to
be affected by the restriction of some of their rights.
Biga Friganovic said the committee would next week hold a meeting to
which all interested sides would be invited.
(hina) sp rml sb