PIK EMPLOYEES CONTINUE TO BLOCK ROADS

ZAGREB, April 6 (Hina) - Employees of the PIK Vrbovec agricultural coop, who blocked road traffic at 7AM Thursday in Vrbovec region, about 40 kilometres of Zagreb, said they would discontinue the blockade after the PIK Management paid two advance payrolls and travelling expenses for January and February. The employees reminded they have already used all democratic methods to achieve their goal, namely talks with the Government and authorised ministries, the Privatisation Fund, the Supervising Committee and the PIK management. A statement issued Thursday read the management agreed on an advance payroll amounting to 1,190 kuna monthly (DM297.5), to enable the survival of PIK and the revival of the production. Head of the PIK Trade Union Stjepan Lebos confirmed the determination of PIK employees to persist in the blockage of roads, until the agreed advance payroll be paid. He added that members of the management left for Zagreb where they were to request financial help from the Government and other authorised bodies one more time. About 1,500 employees of the "Belje" and "PIK Vrbovec" agricultural coops, on Wednesday protested in front of the Government building in Zagreb Wednesday, demanding the payment of late salaries and the solution for their companies. Croatian Vice Premier Slavko Linic told them authorised management and supervising committees were responsible for the problems in their companies. Linic told protesters that the Government's priority in the upcoming several months is to draft a model of settling the internal debt which amounted to 9 billion kuna. "When the state adopts the model it, it will be easier for us to answer your demands", Linic added. The protesters were not satisfied with Linic's answers. (hina) it