ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The situation in the areas of the special state concern is "drastically worse" than in other Croatian regions, said the deputy minister of reconstruction and public works on Friday.
ZAGREB, July 12 (Hina) - The situation in the areas of the special
state concern is "drastically worse" than in other Croatian
regions, said the deputy minister of reconstruction and public
works on Friday. #L#
The deputy minister, Venko Curlin, informed the Croatian
parliament that "the situation in the areas of the special state
concern, according to economic, social and demographic indicators,
is drastically worse than in the rest of the country. The
unemployment there is by 40 percent higher than in other parts of
the country."
MPs discussed amendments to a Law on the Areas of the Special State
Concern and a report on the social situation in the said areas.
Socially handicapped groups are the largest compared to the rest of
Croatia, while towns and municipalities have the poorest financial
capacities, the official said.
To date, the government has invested 12 billion kuna (1.64 billion
euros) and reconstructed 120,000 housing units.
The international community has helped renovate eight to ten
thousand homes, but a part of these units have been reconstructed
through loans which Zagreb will have to repay to the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development.
The government has renovated 280 schools, of a total of 340 in the
said areas.
Despite all these measures, the situation has not been improved to
the effect that the areas could reach the average development in the
country, Curlin said.
"Although 4,500 jobs were created for one year in the areas while
the unemployment rose in the country, it was difficult to be
successful there," Curlin complained.
Of two returnees of working age, one can find a job, he added.
The government is in charge of 20,000 housing units, and 9,000 of
them are still unavailable to their owners, as they are occupied by
refugees. Of them, 1,500 housing units are occupied by refugees who
have no legal basis to stay there, and the alternative
accommodation is being sought for 7,500 displaced people, he said.
(hina) ms