EUROPEAN TRADE UNIONS SUPPORT REFORMS IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, April 2 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Labour and Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic held talks with the Secretary-General of the European Trade Unions Congress, Emilio Gabaglio, in Zagreb on Monday. The government officials informed the senior official of the biggest European union association about the social and economic reforms the Croatian government was conducting in cooperation with trade unions. Vidovic said after the talks they had reached an agreement regarding the need to continue the reforms, which often contained some unpopular measures, as any delaying of changes jeopardised Croatia's prospects. Political changes have paved the way for Croatia toward the European Union. On that path, Croatia is faced with a series of structural reforms, which it must carry out if it wants to be successful, Gabaglio said. He called on the Croatian government to respect social dialogue and partnership with the unions. Gabaglio said the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) was the most modern, reform-oriented union federation, and called on the government to include the SSSH more in its reform activities. (hina) sb rml