SISAK IRONWORKS EMPLOYEES RECEIVE MINIMAL PAYS

SISAK, March 17 (Hina) - Workers in Sisak's ironworks and its Caprag overhaul company, who gathered at the main entrance to the factory on Monday morning at the urging of unions active in the ironworks, received minimum pay cheques for January and February around 8.30 a.m. #L# The salaries were paid in line with a government decision of March 6. Also today, the work contracts of the ironworks' 1,700 employees have been transferred from the bankrupt Sisak Ironworks company to the new owner -- Mechel Ironworks Sisak, Ivica Kenda, a union representative, said. The ironworks' new owner called 108 workers in the steel plant and about 80 in the rolling mill to report for work today to make preparations for re-launching production, said Kenda. He added around 550 workers would be called to report for work this month, while the rest would be called in line with the production plan. Those waiting to report for work will receive 80 percent of their monthly wages, he said. Kenda and other union leaders thanked the workers who had gathered in front of the entrance to the ironworks for their perseverance and successful struggle to save the ironworks and fight for their salaries. If the employees had not protested, there would no ironworks and they would be jobless, the union leaders said. (hina) ha