RIJEKA PORT WORKERS PROTEST

RIJEKA, Sept 20 (Hina) - About 100 workers with Rijeka Port protested on Saturday over the situation in the company, airing their grievances over how the management board treats employees, notably when it comes to caring for surplus labour, privatisation, and business. #L# The protest in front of the company in the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka was organised by the company's three trade unions. "Of 1,400 employees 800 are said to be surplus but instead of providing quality care, the management board has offered symbolic severance pays and psychological assistance," said union leader Roberto Zubcic. He went on to say Rijeka Port's business was worse than the management board said, that losses and debts kept on accumulating, and that provisions from the collective agreement were not being complied with. Vlatko Mandekic, leader of another union in the company, recalled that workers and unions had filed lawsuits over what he said were the unlawfully founded management board and the unlawfully carried out privatisation of part of the company. Proceedings have been underway for years and some workers have abandoned the lawsuits due to threats, he said. (hina) ha