PM SAYS UNIONS DEFEND STATUS QUO INSTEAD OF JOINING IN REFORMS

ZAGREB, April 27 (Hina) - The president of the ruling coalition's Social Democrats (SDP), Prime Minister Ivica Racan, said on Saturday that trade union leaders defended the status quo instead of joining in reforms as soon as possible in order to make the Croatian economy as competitive as possible. #L# "As Social Democrats, we don't intend to answer in the same fashion, and when possible, we shall welcome the union leaders," Racan told reporters after a session of the SDP Head Committee. He had been asked what position the SDP would take in light of the fact that no one from the authorities had been asked to attend the traditional Labour Day celebrations. Racan said it was pointless to complain that labour legislation reforms were difficult as two years ago, when the incumbent authorities came into office, it was known that they would not be easy. The SDP will insist on the reforms, despite hesitation in and outside the ruling coalition, he said. Racan recalled that Croatia had to carry out several important reforms, in education, science, the judiciary, and labour legislation. (hina) ha sb