ZAGREB, May 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Friday presented a package of measures to be taken in next 100 days in order to stimulate economic growth and create more jobs. Prime Minister Ivica Racan and his aides held a meeting
with five unions' federations and the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) to discuss those measures aimed at settling the situation in state-owned companies and changes in the tax policy. The Government will classify companies according to its share portion and subsequently assume obligations it has as a serious employer, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic announced after the meeting. Launching tax reforms, the Government will propose changes of taxes on profit and income in order to stimulate creation of more jobs and eliminate 'grey' economy, Vidovic said. Amendments to the labour legislation will be put on the agenda of the Economic and Social
ZAGREB, May 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Government on Friday presented
a package of measures to be taken in next 100 days in order to
stimulate economic growth and create more jobs.
Prime Minister Ivica Racan and his aides held a meeting with five
unions' federations and the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP)
to discuss those measures aimed at settling the situation in state-
owned companies and changes in the tax policy.
The Government will classify companies according to its share
portion and subsequently assume obligations it has as a serious
employer, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic
announced after the meeting.
Launching tax reforms, the Government will propose changes of taxes
on profit and income in order to stimulate creation of more jobs and
eliminate 'grey' economy, Vidovic said.
Amendments to the labour legislation will be put on the agenda of
the Economic and Social Council this month, and social partners -
the Government, employers and unions - would have to take many
efforts to reach agreement, owing to their opposite interests, he
added.
Unions asked the Government to offer concrete measures for new
development, more jobs and regular payment of earned salaries, said
Vitomir Begovic, the Secretary-General of the Association of
Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH)).
Begovic claimed that "the U.S company Bechtel and the former
Government concluded a contract on businesses, without clauses
that domestic labour force would be employed, and therefore Bechtel
is intending to employ workers from Turkey who are trained for the
work on certain specific machines."
The unions insisted that the Government propose to Bechtel to add a
clause to the contract which will stipulate the employment of
Croatian workers with the obligation of the Croatian Employment
Agency to ensure additional training for such workers for adequate
jobs, he said.
The HUP chairman Zeljko Ivancevic predicted that the package of
measures, along with reforms of tax systems and stimulation to
investments, export and employment, should make it possible for the
country to experience development and not only the recovery of
unsuccessful companies.
(hina) jn ms