SHIPBUILDING TRADE UNIONS CRITICISE ECONOMY MINISTRY

KRALJEVICA, May 22 (Hina) - A coordination of shipbuilding trade unions on Monday accused the Croatian Economy Ministry of totally disregarding unions active in the shipbuilding industry as social partners, and their legal and legitimate demands. "The trade unions can therefore only comment on statements in the media by ministers and their associates on measures directed at resolving the situation in (shipbuilding)", coordination spokesman Rastko Davila told reporters. He said those statements were contrary to the promises the ruling six-party coalition made before January's parliamentary elections, and voiced special concern over the fact that a considerable number of officials of the new authorities had inherited the arrogance of the formerly ruling Croatian Democratic Union. "Brodosplit" unionist Zvonko Segvic said he was at a loss to understand why Deputy Premier Slavko Linic and Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic were criticising shipyard directors and not taking concrete measures, given that the state owns the shipyards. The unions will persevere in protecting workers' rights, especially in helping them keep their jobs and getting paid for their work, said Veljko Begonja. "We are fully aware that a strike does not resolve the problem. Experience however shows that a strike is a very efficacious means of struggle, so we do not exclude it from the activities we are willing to undertake," he said. The coordination of shipbuilding trade unions today warned that failure to resolve the issues in the shipbuilding industry generated millions of kunas in losses every day. (hina) ha mm