AGRICULTURE UNION SUPPORTS PROTEST AGAINST IMF, WORLD BANK

ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - The Croatian Agriculture Union said in a statement Tuesday it supports the protest announced by the Independent Croatian Trade Unions (NHS) against the policy of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as against the non-transparent Croatian government policy in relation to the two international institutions. The NHS announced it would stage an anti-globalisation protest on Wednesday in front of the Croatian National Bank, where the IMF Mission to Croatia is situated, and in front of the government's building. The Agriculture Union supports the NHS's request for a public revision of the policy of international financial institutions in transitional countries, warning that the most recent government's decisions on reform, on which global financial masters have set conditions, were unified models which do not heed the specific qualities of a certain country. Accepting market liberalisation, the union insists on the need for the drafting of socially responsible development programmes, with a dialogue with social partners -- unions and employers. The model which the Croatian government is increasingly accepting is in opposition to the interests of workers, its tendency is towards a deregulation of workers' rights, curbing social rights and weakening unions. It is founded on reform models from countries with doubtful democratic achievements, the union warned. (hina) lml