POLICE UNION AGAINST MAKING EMPLOYEES AVAILABLE TO GOVERNMENT

ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - The Croatian Police Union (SPH) today voiced bitterness and decried the Interior Ministry decision to make a pat of ministry officials available to the government. About 3,100 employees of the Interior Ministry, redundant according to the ministry economising programme, today began receiving documents making them available to the government, while 709 employees have been given notice. SPH president Dubravko Jagic said police employees found notices at their desks this morning without prior warning. The decision to make a part of ministry employees available to the government which should find them new posts in other ministries, is like robbing Peter to pay Paul because these people will continue to be paid from the budget, Jagic asserted. Asked to comment on claims by the ministry that making people available to the government did not mean firing them, Jagic said "the union does not trust those who are at the helm of the ministry," recalling that the union was excluded from negotiations on economising from the start. What is sad is that employees who were the first to join in the Homeland Defence War have been made available and redundant, he said. Jagic recalled that if the government and the Interior Ministry do not respond to union requests within seven days and begin following the collective agreement, the union will file criminal charges against Premier Ivica Racan, Interior Minister Sime Lucin an d police director Ranko Ostojic. Jagic announced a strike committee will meet tomorrow to decide on further union activities. (hina) lml