BADEL 1862 SUPERVISING COMMITTEE SUPPORTS COMPANY'S BOARD - SAPUNAR

ZAGREB, Jan 11 (Hina) - President of the Badel 1862 supervising committee Marko Sapunar on Monday reported that the supervising committee at last Tuesday's session unanimously supported the board of the company and demanded that it undertakes all legal measures in order to start regular production. Due to a protest staged by the coordination for Badel 1862 defence because of unsolved ownership relations, a plant in Zagreb's industrial zone of Zitnjak has not been operating since December 8. Members of the coordination on Monday occupied the Board building downtown Zagreb and prevented Main director Mario Sherr and Board members from entering the building. The supervising committee claims that due to the illegal strike of some of Badel 1862 workers the company has suffered damage of about DM1 million on local market and DM1.5 million on foreign market. The company's reputation also suffered damage. Badel 1862 is facing bankruptcy and the majority of positions will be shut down because of the strike. The company will not be able to pay salaries for December. Sapunar reminded that the average salaries in Badel 1862 amounts to DM1,100 and called workers to return to their jobs. The protesters, however, stressed that one of their main demands was Sapunar's resignation. (hina) it