IRONWORKS COORDINATING BODY EXPECTS DECISION ON MINIMUM WAGE

SISAK, Nov 26 (Hina) - Representatives of the Coordinating Body of Sisak Ironworks unions, Ivica Kenda and Mato Somic, said at a press conference in Sisak on Tuesday that they expected of the government to reach a decision on Thursday about securing the payment of minimum wages to employees of the ironworks and its company Caprag Overhaul, until a strategic partner takes over the factory. #L# Kenda and Somic stressed that they expected a positive response from the government, since the fate of about 2,000 workers of both companies and the survival of the ferrous metal industry, which was a strategic branch of the economy in Croatia, were at stake. They said that in case employees were to be sent to the Employment Bureau, the workers of the ironworks and the Caprag plant would cost the state 950 kuna per employee through the Bureau, and asked whether it would not be better for the government to secure another 400 kuna and pay off the employees their full minimum wages until a new owner takes up the factory and production continues. The head of the Coordinating Body, Mato Somic, spoke about the protest by workers and thanked all of them for turning out in large numbers on Sisak's New Bridge until two late salaries were paid. Somic refuted statements by Interior Minister Sime Lucin and Police Director Ranko Ostojic that the intervention police had not used force during the protest when the protesters were on the entry to the New Bridge. There was use of force and there are our colleagues who felt it on their backs, Somic said. The union officials dismissed accusations that town and county authorities were behind the protest. (hina) lml