PARLIAMENT DEBATES CHANGES TO LABOUR ACT AS UNIONS PROTEST

ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - Parliament on Tuesday started a debate on a final bill of amendments to the Labour Act, the most important law from the labour and social legislation package, as members of trade unions were protesting outside the parliament building. #L# About 400 members of trade unions staged a protest dissatisfied with an announced reduction in dismissal periods and severance pay and an increase in the number of employees working for small business owners from the current 10 to 20. The social partners -- the government, employers and trade unions - - have held 17 meetings, discussed 180 different institutions and their practical implications and have tried to harmonise different interests, Labour and Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic told deputies. "We've achieved excellent results in this matter, and only a small number of issues remain open," said Vidovic. More precise provisions have been formulated to ensure better protection from discrimination at work, and a new instrument has been introduced -- protection of workers who draw attention to corruption. The institution of workers' participation is now better ensured, which has drawn criticism from the employers because the new model envisages workers' representatives on all supervisory committees. In future, both big and small business owners will have to explain why they are firing a worker. Vidovic said that a balance between severance wages and dismissal periods was also better. The reduction of some rights that affect senior employees with 25- 30 years of service will be compensated for, although not entirely, with a law on employment agencies. The entire legislation package will ensure flexibility on the labour market and a competitiveness of the Croatian economy, while on the other hand it will bring Croatia's legislation in line with EU standards, the minister said. (hina) it