ASSOCIATION OF WORKERS' TRADE UNIONS CRITICISES GOVT.'S WORK

ZAGREB, June 16 (Hina) - The Association of Workers' Trade Unions of Croatia (URSH) at Friday's extraordinary congress gave a negative assessment to the government's efforts to improve the economic and social situation and the nurturing of social dialogue. Unless the situation improves, URSH will call on Croatia's labour force in the autumn to protest the government's policy. URSH president Boris Kunst said in his speech the government was prone to authoritarian steps and belittling the tripartite system to which, he pointed out, all six parties in the ruling coalition swore prior to January's parliamentary elections. Kunst said the government was also prone to manipulating the trade union movement by openly favouring one union federation. Even though he did not name it, URSH's position has been known for some time, namely that the government is nurturing a partnership only with the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH). Kunst said the government had still not offered a solution to reduce the high unemployment rate which, he added, continued to grow and cost 18,000 workers their jobs in this year's first four months. In a resolution adopted at today's congress, URSH says there has been no salary growth or higher industrial production despite pre- electoral promises. (hina) ha mm