"DIOKOM" WORKERS GO ON GENERAL STRIKE

SPLIT, April 25 (Hina) - Workers of the Split-based "Diokom" company, on Tuesday morning began a general strike. The industrial action will last until the strikers' three basic requests are not met and those are the payment of the four back salaries, the appointment of new management and fulfilment of commitments stipulated by the Collective Agreement and Labour Law, said the strikers' leader Marija Budimir Bekan at their protest rally in the factory.. "Diokom", that employees 2,370 workers, manufactures clothes, children's toys and plastic ware. Protesters said they would take to the streets in Split on Friday and stage rallies in front of offices of authorities this coastal city, Split-Dalmatia County and the Commercial Court. A local union leader, Jozo Maric, said the anarchy had stricken the whole business system of this company that had no management for months. Split Mayor Skaric, County Prefect Luksic and the Government are lying to Diokom employees, as they promised that workers would get earned salaries but they have not still received money, Maric added. Workers will protest before the Commercial Court because they believe that the decision on the bankruptcy of "Diokom" is of the political nature, the unionist said. Maric said they would call other workers to join Diokom employees in the protest in Split streets. Many workers addressed the rally speaking about their grave economic situation and criticising "the Government's deformed economic and social policy, crime and corruption.". They insisted on the fulfilment of their constitutional rights to enjoy social security and have basic prerequisites for the life worthy of man.