CROATIAN PRESIDENT AND EMPLOYERS HOLD TALKS

ZAGREB, Feb 5 (Hina) - President Stjepan Mesic on Monday held talks with a delegation of the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) on the current economic situation, results of the work of the incumbent authorities and possible problems related to announced changes of the Labour Law. #L# After the talks, the HUP head, Zeljko Ivancevic, told reporters that President Mesic and HUP officials also discussed the education of managers and plans to set up a management school in Croatia. Asked about employers' objections to draft amendments to the Labour Law, Ivancevic replied that their criticism mainly referred to the protection of workers' rights, which might impose additional burdens and costs to employers. "In the circumstances when the country is faced up with big unemployment, this is the wrong path the Government has taken and therefore we propose the postponement of a discussion on the amendments until the package (of relevant laws) include systematic definition of measures for the employment stimulation," he said at the news conference. The President has agreed with us that Croatia needs a favourable climate for business people, a consistent legal system and full functioning of the rule of law, as these are pre-conditions for the attraction of foreign capital, which is a goal of the Croatian economy and policy, the HUP leader said. Besides, a strategy for the economic development should define a more important position of Croatian business people and therefore it is also important to make it possible for Croatian managers to have systematic education, Ivancevic added. (hina) ms