ECONOMIC-SOCIAL COUNCIL DISCUSSES BUDGET, SOCIAL PACT

ZAGREB, Mar 10 (Hina) - Representatives of the government, trade unions and employers at Friday's session of the Croatian Economic- Social Council (GSV) said a draft of this year's state budget was acceptable because, they assessed, it was economically sustainable and socially bearable. "This is, first of all, a debt-repaying budget. We are aware the new authorities inherited many bad debts from the previous one," said Vitomir Begovic, the main secretary at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia who was today appointed GSV president. The unions believe the money in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare intended for the employment policy is too small given an expected rise of the unemployment rate which will result from restructuring in the economy. The amount should be increased considerably, despite the current money crunch, said Begovic. In view of a social pact, the GSV agreed the unions and employers would submit their proposals to the government by Tuesday. The government will offer a platform for the signing of an appropriate agreement which would be valid for a year. Today it was also agreed the GSV should form by Wednesday eight commissions which, as expert operative working bodies, would harmonise social partners' positions on issues on GSV's agenda. Adopted was an annexe to an agreement on the establishment of the GSV which expands the council's competence. In the future, every issue of interest for social partners should be discussed by the GSV before being forwarded to the government or parliament. (hina) ha mm