ZAGREB, Dec 5 (Hina) - About three hundred officials and members of trade unions gathered into the Independent Croatian Unions (NHS) on Wednesday held a protest in St Mark's Square, where the government and parliament buildings are
located, against negative effects of globalisation and the policies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund towards Croatia. The unionists also expressed dissatisfaction with the government and the Croatian parliament for carrying out the policies, thus failing to fulfil promises they made ahead of parliamentary elections. "We are not against globalisation, but we ask for a globalisation which would suit man," NHS president Kresimir Sever said at the rally. Globalisation is taking on the form of a new colonisation and disrespect for mankind in the world. "Workers are losing their jobs and are faced with a drastic curbing of workers' and social rights," Sever stressed. He w
ZAGREB, Dec 5 (Hina) - About three hundred officials and members of
trade unions gathered into the Independent Croatian Unions (NHS) on
Wednesday held a protest in St Mark's Square, where the government
and parliament buildings are located, against negative effects of
globalisation and the policies of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund towards Croatia.
The unionists also expressed dissatisfaction with the government
and the Croatian parliament for carrying out the policies, thus
failing to fulfil promises they made ahead of parliamentary
elections.
"We are not against globalisation, but we ask for a globalisation
which would suit man," NHS president Kresimir Sever said at the
rally.
Globalisation is taking on the form of a new colonisation and
disrespect for mankind in the world. "Workers are losing their jobs
and are faced with a drastic curbing of workers' and social rights,"
Sever stressed.
He warned the government and parliament that it was the last minute
for them to fulfil their electoral promises, because the patience
of workers stripped of their rights has nearly run out.
Sever called on the government to sign future arrangements with the
IMF and the World Bank publicly instead of hiding them from the
public and social partners.
The rally was attended by union officials from the oil company Ina,
the Croatian Electric Power Industry, Croatian Posts, and the
Payment Transactions Bureau, as well as state and public servants.
Before the rally, the protesters gathered in front of the Croatian
National Bank, where the IMF Mission to Croatia is located, and
marched towards St. Mark's Square accompanied by the sound of drums
of the band "Evil Drummers".
The protest started with the "Chorus of Slaves" from Verdi's
"Nabucco" played through speakerphones, and ended with the "Ode to
Joy". NHS unions' presidents were symbolically tied with chains.
The square was fenced with a tall steel fence, and was secured by
police.
The one-hour rally ended without incidents.
(hina) lml sb