ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - As of today the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare will work in a more transparent manner and will try to upgrade a level of social sensibility of the Croatian public by opening discussions on all social
problems, announced the new Minister Davorko Vidovic after the transfer of authority at this ministry on Tuesday. A programme of the Social Democratic (SDP) and the Croatian Social Liberal parties (HSLS), called "A Policy of New Direction", accentuates a necessity for a considerable increase in social security, morality and fairness. That's why the new Government will endeavour to gather experts, conduct a dialogue with trade unions and pensioners' associations and work on the strengthening of civic society, Vidovic said. In the last ten years material production and jobs were reduced by half while the budget, external debt and unemployment rate climbed three times in C
ZAGREB, Feb 1 (Hina) - As of today the Ministry of Labour and Social
Welfare will work in a more transparent manner and will try to
upgrade a level of social sensibility of the Croatian public by
opening discussions on all social problems, announced the new
Minister Davorko Vidovic after the transfer of authority at this
ministry on Tuesday.
A programme of the Social Democratic (SDP) and the Croatian Social
Liberal parties (HSLS), called "A Policy of New Direction",
accentuates a necessity for a considerable increase in social
security, morality and fairness. That's why the new Government will
endeavour to gather experts, conduct a dialogue with trade unions
and pensioners' associations and work on the strengthening of civic
society, Vidovic said.
In the last ten years material production and jobs were reduced by
half while the budget, external debt and unemployment rate climbed
three times in Croatia, he added.
How the situation is grave is reflected by figures which put Croatia
in the lead in Europe according to the number of hard drinkers,
those who commit suicide and figures about corruption.
The Labour Ministry must immediately start solving the problem of
irregular payment of salaries, pensions and social benefits as well
as to address the problem of the position of disabled workers.
It will continue working on the national employment programme and
reconsider relevant laws and acts, Vidovic promised.
Another important task is stimulate a social dialogue between the
Government, trade unions and employers and therefore it will try to
convene session of the Economic Social Council by the mid-February,
he added.
One of long-term goals is to draft a concept of economic and social
progress and elaborate development and social policies. This
ministry will work on de-centralisation and rationalisation of the
system of social welfare, the new Minister said.
He announced that a new person will be appointed to the post of
Deputy Labour Minister, and called on the outgoing Deputy Minister,
Vera Babic, to continue cooperating with the ministry.
During the distribution of ministries among representatives of six
parties that won the recent parliamentary election, the Labour and
Social Welfare Ministry was not very popular, Vidovic said adding
that after his appointment to this office he received messages not
only of congratulation but also of "condolences".
"This ministry is my choice," he stressed, while the media had
previously speculated that he might be appointed to the Defence or
Interior Ministry.
The new Labour Minister announced that the Government led by
Premier Ivica Racan would do its best to make it possible for
pensions to be paid as early as possible in this month.
Commenting on similar announcements of the newly-appointed Finance
Minister Mato Crkvenac, Vidovic said "God bless Mato Crkvenac if he
manage to ensure payment of pensions by the 5th in each month. I will
be satisfied if it happens by the 10th," he said
adding that the regular payment of income for retirees would be one
of priorities which this ministry is to address.
Another important task is to resolve pensions for disabled workers
and draft an act on the payment of the debt incurred toward
retirees. That law should be passed within next six months, so that
the winning coalition can fulfil the promise it gave before the
election, Vidovic said.
One of long-term measures in pension insurance will be the
continuation of the reform of pension system, but this tasks will be
carried out when enough money is ensured, he added.
Declining to comment on possible replacements for Dunja Vidosevic ,
the director of the Croatian Institute for Pension Insurance, after
she said that she would step down and put her tenure at the disposal,
Vidovic announced the revision of the work performance and
activities of the Pension Insurance Institute, as "it will be good
both for those who have been at its helm and for those who will come"
to lead it.
The former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Joso Skara,
wished best in the work of new officials in the ministry and said he
gave an orderly ministry with clear and transparent reports on work
and all revisions conducted inside it.
(hina) ms