METAL WORKERS FROM DUGI RAT, ECONOMY MINISTER REACH AGREEMENT

ZAGREB, May 17 (Hina) - No bankruptcy proceedings will be initiated in the metal-working factory "Dalmacija" from Dugi Rat, union representative Ivan Ribicic said after meeting Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Thursday. He added that the payment of arrears salaries had already started. Some 30 "Dalmacija" workers gathered in front of the government building in Zagreb this morning to protest against a proposal by the Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP) on initiating bankruptcy proceedings in the company. The HFP was requested to initiate bankruptcy proceedings by the Tax Administration, to which the factory owes some 40,000 kuna (about DEM 10,000). The workers have demanded that the government appoint a new management board and that they be given their salaries which they have not received since 1996 and which amount to 18 million kuna. Economy Minister Fizulic promised the protesters bankruptcy proceedings would not be initiated in the company. One round of minimum salaries was paid yesterday and the other round will be paid in a month at the latest, union commissioner Ribicic said. He added Fizulic had promised to help in the purchase of raw materials and in finding a market for the company's products. Asked whether they had discussed the replacement of the current management, Ribicic said the current management would be replaced. Asked about the possibility the HEP may initiate bankruptcy proceedings in the company, which owes HEP 70 million kuna, Ribicic said the workers did not oppose bankruptcy but in case it happened they wanted to have control over the proceedings. (hina) rml