ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina) - At the closed section of its session on Thursday, the Croatian government delegated Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic and Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic to continue negotiations with unions
regarding changes to the Labour Act.
ZAGREB, Feb 27 (Hina) - At the closed section of its session on
Thursday, the Croatian government delegated Deputy Prime Minister
Goran Granic and Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic
to continue negotiations with unions regarding changes to the
Labour Act. #L#
Granic told reporters the government was ready to make concessions
regarding notice periods and severance pays because, as he said,
this would not change the actual intention of the law.
He expected the changes could be supported in the Sabor but pointed
out that if there was any inkling of speculation, the entire process
should be halted and the matter left to the next government.
He added that talks would be held with unions about extending the
period of eligibility for unemployment benefits and on their
amounts.
As far as temporary work contracts are concerned, the unions
propose that nothing be changed and the reasons to sign them be
extended. The government, however, does not agree with this.
The unions are steadfast because they believe that temporary
employment does not allow workers to resolve some important issues
of life importance. This is a matter that will require special
attention, Granic said.
He cautioned that the structure of the unemployed was also a problem
and added that regardless of legislation, some people always found
it difficult to find a job and that new jobs were usually provided
under temporary work contracts.
There are about 60,000 first-time job- seekers that register with
the Employment Bureau each year. The remainder that register were
employed previously and 50 percent of them were employed on a
temporary basis, he said.
(hina) sp ha