ZAGREB, May 29 (Hina) - The head of the IMF Mission, Hans Flickenschild, told Croatian union leaders it was true that labour legislation reforms reduced workers' rights, but also that they were necessary, the president of the
Independent Croatian Unions, Kresimir Sever, said on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, May 29 (Hina) - The head of the IMF Mission, Hans
Flickenschild, told Croatian union leaders it was true that labour
legislation reforms reduced workers' rights, but also that they
were necessary, the president of the Independent Croatian Unions,
Kresimir Sever, said on Tuesday. #L#
An International Monetary Fund Mission is visiting Croatia as part
of regular annual consultations on a new stand-by arrangement. The
Mission met union leaders on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the need
of implementing reforms, especially in labour legislation.
Representatives of the Croatian Unions Association did not
attend.
Flickenschild said the IMF agreed with the Croatian government and
the World Bank that reforms were necessary. He added he was aware it
implied a reduction in workers' rights but stressed this was needed
out of solidarity with the unemployed, Sever told Hina.
Flickenschild hoped Croatian unionists would not protest too much
if they failed to reach an agreement with the government regarding
contentious issues in connection with amendments to the Labour Act.
These are severance pays, notice periods, and the definition of the
small employer.
Sever objected against touching into these issues before making
major changes in other fields, for instance the judiciary.
The union leaders appealed for IMF support in their demand not to
insist on the reaching of an agreement on the contentious issues.
"It would not undermine social stability in the country and would
enable a gradual implementation of reforms," said Sever.
(hina) ha