ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - Opposition benches in the Croatian parliament objected on Tuesday to the government's intention to reduce severance pays and notice periods through changes to the Labour Act. Most benches said the changes
should be made only after parliamentary elections.
ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - Opposition benches in the Croatian
parliament objected on Tuesday to the government's intention to
reduce severance pays and notice periods through changes to the
Labour Act. Most benches said the changes should be made only after
parliamentary elections. #L#
The opposition said the government had not secured consensus from
trade unions and employers for its changes. Opposition MPs urged
another, third reading of the bill, and called on the government,
unions, and employers to once again try to agree on contentious
issues.
The government was criticised by the ruling coalition as well.
Zlatko Kramaric of the Liberal Party said the government had put
pressure on unions and employers in negotiations on changes to the
Labour Act, leaving the impression that it had corrupted the
unions.
Unions and employers should negotiate labour legislation alone,
with logistic support from the labour and social welfare ministry,
said Kramaric.
Labour Minister Davorko Vidovic said the government had in no way
participated in corrupting any one trade union or union federation,
and that it had tried to reach a compromise with unions and
employers about every issue.
Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly pointed the finger
at unions for failing to carry out a referendum on changes to the
Labour Act due to internal antagonism. "They are now asking that MPs
say 'no' to a law that not even their members know whether it's
good."
The opposition requested the enforcement of parts of labour
legislation unfavourable for workers be postponed until Croatia
joins the European Union.
Most opposition benches said the amendments moved to the Labour
Act, contrary to what the government said, would not bolster
Croatia's economy, attract foreign investments, or up the level of
labour security.
The opposition said the changes did not resolve the problem of union
membership in private companies and did not adequately protect
workers who point out corruption. The opposition also called for
additional work on provisions preventing discrimination in the
workplace.
The Social Democratic Party bench agreed with the entire bill of
amendments. Speaking on its behalf, Snjezana Biga-Friganovic
congratulated the government and the labour ministry on a
successfully done job.
(hina) ha sb