KOSTRENA, Aug 1 (Hina) - Workers of the Viktor Lenac shipyard, who began a strike on Friday morning, have announced that they will take to the streets if a part of overdue salaries is not paid by Monday (August 4), the strike
committee's head and the Croatian Metal Workers' Trade Union shop steward in the company, Damir Bacinovic, said at a news conference in Rijeka on Friday.
KOSTRENA, Aug 1 (Hina) - Workers of the Viktor Lenac shipyard, who
began a strike on Friday morning, have announced that they will take
to the streets if a part of overdue salaries is not paid by Monday
(August 4), the strike committee's head and the Croatian Metal
Workers' Trade Union shop steward in the company, Damir Bacinovic,
said at a news conference in Rijeka on Friday. #L#
Strikers insist on the payment of 37 percent of their salaries for
May, and the entire amount of salaries for June and July, as well as
the establishment of an interim management with the task to tackle
the current crisis.
They also ask of the government to take over ownership of the
company if necessary funds for the continuation of the company's
work cannot be urgently secured.
The shipyard employs about 1,200 workers, and it needs about 1.5
million dollars monthly for salaries. The company's account has
been blocked by sub-contractors who also have not received money
for jobs they did for the company.
Creditor banks, the owners and the Croatian government have signed
a preliminary agreement on the injection of fresh capital and
restructuring of the shipyard, which will require $28.7 million.
The said funds are expected to flow into the company in October.
Until then it is necessary to secure about seven million dollars for
regular business operations and wages.
For this purpose, the Ivica Racan Cabinet is willing to secure about
three (3) million, while the banks and owners are expected to give
their answer within ten days.
(hina) ms sb