PYROTECHNISTS URGE GOVT TO TREAT THEIR DISABLED COLLEAGUES FAIRLY

ZAGREB, April 15 (Hina) - Croatian pyrotechnists' union requests of the Government to enforce a law on mine clearance and the National Parliament's conclusion of 5 June 1998 which stipulate that casualties in the work of explosive disposal experts can have the same rights as Croatian Homeland War veterans. This is the only right and just solution for disabled pyrotechnists or families of pyrotechnists who lost their lives while performing their duties, read a statement signed by the union's leader Antun Vincetic. The Union on Saturday asserted that both the current and former government turned a deaf ear to its requests and failed to implement the aforementioned law. Unionists said they were "fed up with such irresponsible conduct of authorities" and described it as "shameful and unacceptable", according to the statement. They announced a one-hour strike prior to more decisive protest actions of pyrotechnists. They added that they were expecting support from the population and employers as the clearance of mines means "the capital investment in the recovery" of all Croatian regions, while mines are still posing a dangerous problem. (hina) ms