ZAGREB, Sept 8 (Hina) - The Social Welfare and Labour Ministry has recently forwarded to the Croatian government a draft programme for fighting poverty.
ZAGREB, Sept 8 (Hina) - The Social Welfare and Labour Ministry has
recently forwarded to the Croatian government a draft programme for
fighting poverty. #L#
Under the programme, a law should be adopted by the end of this year
on the set-up of the agency for the protection of workers' claims
and by the end of 2003 all competent bodies will have to ensure the
regular payment of salaries to all who work.
The programme defines measures in a score fields, for example in the
wage policy, tax policy, family policy and civil society.
According to the first national survey, carried out in 1998, the
poverty rate was 10 percent. As there are now about 4,350,000
residents in Croatia, it is assumed that some 435,000 are poor.
Croatia's poverty rate is rather low in comparison to other
countries in transition. It is, however, worrisome that persons who
fall into the category of poverty need much time to leave that
category, the ministry's programme read.
Poor households are mainly in rural areas in Slavonia (east
Croatia) and in central Croatia.
By the end of 2003 Zagreb should define a national programme for the
employment policy in line with similar programmes of European Union
member-states.
The same deadline is set for the establishment of the subsistence
level and minimum wage.
(hina) ms