GOVT, UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS DISCUSS SOCIAL AGREEMENT

ZAGREB, April 28 (Hina) - As of May 1, the companies in which the state has a share of more than 25 percent must pay salaries to their workers, it was said at Friday's meeting between Prime Minister Ivica Racan and representatives of ministries and union leaders and employers. This conclusion is an encouragement to continue with negotiations on a social agreement, which should guarantee social and economic stability in the country, the secretary of the Association of Independent Workers' Unions, Vitomir Begovic, said after the meeting. Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic described today's meeting as useful, although a number of critical remarks were presented regarding the work of the government and cooperation between the social partners. "We have mentioned all topics which are important for the economic and social situation in the country and the unions and employers supported the measures the government has adopted so far," Vidovic said. At the next meeting, which should take place on May 12, one should make a more decisive step toward reaching a social agreement, the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) president Zeljko Ivancevic said. Today's meeting is a signal to our foreign partners that we are trying to resolve economic problems in Croatia through social dialogue, Ivancevic said. (hina) mm rml