RIJEKA/SPLIT/PULA/KARLOVAC/OSIJEK, May 1 (Hina) - Croatian trade unions, local government units and political parties on Thursday organised the marking of International Labour Day all over the country.
RIJEKA/SPLIT/PULA/KARLOVAC/OSIJEK, May 1 (Hina) - Croatian trade
unions, local government units and political parties on Thursday
organised the marking of International Labour Day all over the
country. #L#
About 1,000 people attended the marking of the holiday and Social
Democratic Party (SDP) Day in Ronjgi near Rijeka.
Slavko Linic, a deputy prime minister and member of this ruling
party's presidency, told the gathered this year's May 1 was marked
by the unity of trade unions, employers and politicians who "are
fighting to increase competitiveness and improve work results for
the first time". He added that this year for the first time since
February 2000 the number of the employed had increased and that of
those out of a job decreased.
The residents of Split marked today's holiday on the Marjan hill
with music provided by local bands.
Split-Dalmatia County prefect Branimir Luksic did not address
those present, despite announcements. He scrapped the idea after
organisers wanted him only to welcome the gathered and wish them the
best on International Labour Day, instead of making a speech.
Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic unofficially attended the
celebrations on Marjan. Speaking to reporters about negotiations
with trade unions and employers about the Labour Act, she said the
negotiations, "if one disregards demagogy, will succeed and
Croatia will get a labour act which will improve the positions of
workers and employers".
May 1 was also marked in Istria County, Karlovac County, and in
Osijek, where workers protested against the changes proposed for
the Labour Act, the difficult situation in the local economy, the
slow privatisation of agribusinesses, and attempts to deprive them
of land.
(hina) ha sb