ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's legislation committee endorsed a bill of amendments to the Labour Act on Monday. Most objections, expressed by committee members, referred to provisions on a referendum of employees,
punishment of discrimination against workers and proposals about solidarity contributions, which, under the bill, would be taken from wages of all employees no matter whether or not they are union members.
ZAGREB, June 30 (Hina) - The Croatian parliament's legislation
committee endorsed a bill of amendments to the Labour Act on Monday.
Most objections, expressed by committee members, referred to
provisions on a referendum of employees, punishment of
discrimination against workers and proposals about solidarity
contributions, which, under the bill, would be taken from wages of
all employees no matter whether or not they are union members. #L#
Ljubica Lalic of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) believes it is
inadmissible that the solidarity contributions may be taken from
wages without prior approval of workers, and she describes it also
as contrary to the constitution.
MPs also pointed out that it was unacceptable that a provision could
stipulate that it would be sufficient that a turnout of one sixth of
union members a referendum would be sufficient to regard the
referendum valid. For MPs it is a too low turnout to consider the
referendum successful in cases when important material rights of
workers are at stake.
"One sixth of workers' votes is not sufficient to decide on rights
of all other workers," said Mato Arlovic of the Social Democrats
(SDP) and proposed that only permanently employed persons should
give contributions for solidarity funds.
According to the committee, the control over workers' councils
should be intensified as shop stewards sometimes protect more the
interests of employers than the rights of employees.
(hina) ms sb