ZAGREB, April 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Economic and Social Council, gathering representatives of the Government, employers and trade unions, on Friday discussed the implementation of a National Employment Programme. The Council
assessed that the Government must ensure conditions for the further conduct of that programme. Regarding bankruptcy procedures which will be carried out in the future, it is advisable to change legislative regulations, appoint skilful trustees and elaborate alternative job creation programmes. An unemployment rate in Croatia has reached the record level of 21.6 percent (namely 357,700 persons) since the country began registering it. It is unequally distributed throughout country with the lowest rate of nine percent in Zagreb to the highest rate of over 37 percent in the war-stricken Vukovar-Sirmium County. The national employment bureau's head
ZAGREB, April 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Economic and Social Council,
gathering representatives of the Government, employers and trade
unions, on Friday discussed the implementation of a National
Employment Programme.
The Council assessed that the Government must ensure conditions for
the further conduct of that programme.
Regarding bankruptcy procedures which will be carried out in the
future, it is advisable to change legislative regulations, appoint
skilful trustees and elaborate alternative job creation
programmes.
An unemployment rate in Croatia has reached the record level of 21.6
percent (namely 357,700 persons) since the country began
registering it. It is unequally distributed throughout country
with the lowest rate of nine percent in Zagreb to the highest rate of
over 37 percent in the war-stricken Vukovar-Sirmium County.
The national employment bureau's head, Sanja Pozaic-Crnkovic,
cautioned that in case all companies, now faced with illiquidity,
went into bankruptcy, another 177,000 workers would lose their
jobs. The bureau would then ask from the Government over one billion
kuna ($125 million) for its needs, she added.
Pozaic-Crnkovic recommended to the Government to see what pays
more: either to initiate bankruptcy procedures or to restructure
companies in difficulty.
Although the bureau does not have enough money carry out new
measures in employment, owing to the reduction of budgetary means,
it can take those measures if the state settles debts toward the
bureau, coming to 385 million kuna ($48.125 million), she added.
One of those measures is to help people at the age over 50 to find
jobs, as they have most problems to get employment at that age.
Unionists held that the rise in unemployment can be halted by
alterations of relevant laws.
Within the Council, intensive negotiations on changes of the Labour
Law have been initiated, announced Vitomir Begovic, the secretary-
general of the Association of the Independent Unions of Croatia
(SSSH) and the current chairman of the Council.
In addition, it is necessary to change regulation about taxes,
draft a concept of the economic progress for each activity, make up
programmes for additional training of workers and prevent the
illicit work.
Begovic also insisted on the establishment of the basic wage.
Employers required that pre-conditions be created for the economic
recovery and for removal of illiquidity.
The high unemployment rate cannot be reduced by efforts made by the
employment bureau but with the economic growth and the creation of
new jobs, employers added.
Next session of the Council will put emphasis on a tax policy and
measures for the economic recovery.
(hina) jn ms