UNION FEDERATIONS BEGIN LABOUR DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 1 (Hina) - Zagreb began its 110th International Labour Day celebrations on 10 a.m. on Monday, in the organisation of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) and the Association of Workers' Trade Unions of Croatia (URSH). After a mass for Croatia's workers, a procession of some 1,000 Zagreb residents and SSSH members headed for Maksimir park. The SSSH has prepared a show expecting about 100,000 people, including President Stipe Mesic and Premier Ivica Racan, who should briefly address the gathered. The SSSH is holding this year's May 1 celebrations under the motto "For the Dignity of Labour, for the Dignity of Workers." Besides a day-long concert, the trade union federation has secured over 6,000 traditional bean broth meals and 2,000 litres of beer. SSSH president Davor Juric and SSSH's Zagreb commissioner Damir Gasparovic will address the gathered. The URSH, celebrating on another location in Maksimir park, also expects President Mesic and Premier Racan. The association will urge the government to stop the galloping unemployment rate and non-paid labour, incite production and employment, and fulfil pre-electoral promises of an urgent revision of privatisation, changes in the tax system and labour legislation, URSH president Boris Kunst announced. Before arriving to Maksimir, an URSH delegation laid a wreath at Mirogoj cemetery in honour of Croatian soldiers killed in last decade's war. The URSH has secured 3,000 bean broth meals and 400 litres of beer for today's celebrations. (hina) ha