OSIJEK OSIJEK, Jan 3 (Hina) - The trial production has started in the Osijek plant of Italian textile group 'Benetton'. The output has not intended for the market, but the purpose of the operation underway is to test the machinery,
the management of the free zone in the eastern Croatian city of Osijek reported on Wednesday. The start of the production had been announced for late October 2000, but the commencement had to be postponed owing to unsettled property and legal issues with commercial banks, Croatia's economy ministry and the Privatisation Fund. Under the deal, 'Benetton' assumed the duty to employ at least 120 workers in this plant, whereas some 1,500-2,000 people will be able to find job via subcontracts. 'Benetton-Croatia' company representatives have said they will subsequently decide whether and how they will respond to Tuesday's article in the "Republika" daily which claimed that Benet
OSIJEK, Jan 3 (Hina) - The trial production has started in the
Osijek plant of Italian textile group 'Benetton'.
The output has not intended for the market, but the purpose of the
operation underway is to test the machinery, the management of the
free zone in the eastern Croatian city of Osijek reported on
Wednesday.
The start of the production had been announced for late October
2000, but the commencement had to be postponed owing to unsettled
property and legal issues with commercial banks, Croatia's economy
ministry and the Privatisation Fund.
Under the deal, 'Benetton' assumed the duty to employ at least 120
workers in this plant, whereas some 1,500-2,000 people will be able
to find job via subcontracts.
'Benetton-Croatia' company representatives have said they will
subsequently decide whether and how they will respond to Tuesday's
article in the "Republika" daily which claimed that Benetton had
"started the production in secret, without necessary permits."
Osijek-Baranja County's economy department said today it had no
knowledge of the commencement of the production in that plant, and
added that the plant had not yet lodged a request for any permit for
the commencement of the work.
Benetton has not submitted a request for receiving a document which
proves it fulfils minimum technical conditions for the start of the
work, and we could not issue any document of such kind, the
department head Branko Zlatic told Hina on Wednesday.
The necessary paper can be issued after the party in concern submits
a request and after its facilities are checked, he added.
Local authorities in charge of zoning told Hina that only the
location permit had been given to the company. It has also obtained
necessary permit from neighbours, but the building licence has not
yet been issued owing to unsettled legal and property issues in the
building register of the Osijek Free Zone where this plant is
situated.
Benetton's legal representative in Osijek, lawyer Ranko Zatezalo,
said he would forward a demand to the 'Republika' editorial staff to
correct its article the headline of which the attorney described as
"bombastic" and "unfounded". As regards possible response he may
forward to other newspapers, the lawyer said he would consult with
"Benetton-Croatia" firm's director Fabio Dapaso. According to the
lawyer, the current operations in the plant can be regarded as the
instalment of machines rather than the production.
(hina) ms