UNION DISSATISFIED WITH CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS

ZAGREB, July 4 (Hina) - The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) announced on Wednesday that it would freeze its membership in the Economic-Social Council (GSV) because it was dissatisfied with the social dialogue with the government and employers. The SSSH will take part in the GSV session scheduled for July 15, when it will voice its stand on the government's strategy of Croatia's development, after which it will freeze its membership in the tripartite dialogue on the state level because it believes the social dialogue is being obstructed on all levels, union representatives told a news conference in Zagreb. "After July 15 we will consider further measures to be taken by SSSH's branches, including a general strike," SSSH president Davor Juric said. The freezing of membership in the GSV was a symbolic act of protest against the latest events in companies 'Laguna', 'Diokom', 'Polikem', 'Tango' and the Sisak Ironworks, which prove that "the welfare state has not started functioning in Croatia yet," he said. SSSH's move is the result of general dissatisfaction with the situation in Croatia, Juric said, adding in the past year and a half the new government had dedicated the least time tackling the economic and social policy. The SSSH freezes its relations with the government and employers alike and currently has no contact whatsoever with the Croatian Employers' Association, Juric said, adding it was not known if the other union association would follow SSSH's example. (hina) sb rml