ZAGREB, Feb 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives' committees for legislation, the constitution, rule book and political system on Wednesday did not pass an amendment of the Croatian Government in line
with which salaries of state officials and judges (with an exception of the President of the Republic) would amount to 85 percent of their average wage in 1999. On behalf of the both committees of the Lower House, Mato Arlovic of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) explained to MPs that the Government's amendment was not passed due constitutional legal reasons. It is not acceptable that the President of the State be left out in the amendment, given that, in line with the valid law, he is an official, and the same basic wage should be valid for all officials, said Arlovic. The application of the basic wage of 85 percent of the average wage would signific
ZAGREB, Feb 23 (Hina) - The Croatian National Sabor's House of
Representatives' committees for legislation, the constitution,
rule book and political system on Wednesday did not pass an
amendment of the Croatian Government in line with which salaries of
state officials and judges (with an exception of the President of
the Republic) would amount to 85 percent of their average wage in
1999.
On behalf of the both committees of the Lower House, Mato Arlovic of
the Social Democratic Party (SDP) explained to MPs that the
Government's amendment was not passed due constitutional legal
reasons.
It is not acceptable that the President of the State be left out in
the amendment, given that, in line with the valid law, he is an
official, and the same basic wage should be valid for all officials,
said Arlovic.
The application of the basic wage of 85 percent of the average wage
would significantly effect wages of judges, which would cause even
greater dissatisfaction, Arlovic concluded. For example in the
judiciary, a magistrate's wage would amount to DM1,300, which is
less than the wage of magistrates' advisors, given that the
advisors are included in a different law, Arlovic elaborated.
On behalf of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Vladimir Seks
stressed that the Government's amendment should be passed in order
to fulfil pre-electoral promises on the decrease of salaries. Seks,
however, did not say how would the HDZ vote on the amendment.
On behalf of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Mladen Godek
described Seks as a "malicious" person, because the former
Government, in 10 years of its mandate, has never decreased wages of
officials but was "enormously" increasing it.
In Godek's opinion, it is inappropriate to criticise the new
authorities that are running the state for only a month,
particularly because representatives of the new Government are
decreasing their own wages. In line with this, it is really
irrelevant whether wages are decreased by 30 or 40 percent, Godek
concluded.
(hina) it jn