MOST OF "GRADITLEJ" PROTESTERS DISCONTINUE STRIKE

ZAGREB, July 20 (Hina) - Most of thirty employees with the Vinkovci- based company "Graditelj, who went on hunger strike on Wednesday in front of the Government offices in the downtown Zagreb, discontinued their protest on Wednesday evening after their talks with Croatian Premier Ivica Racan, and departed to Vinkovci. Only six workers continued the sit-in overnight. "Graditelj" workers started their action on Wednesday morning to ask to be paid ten (10) back salaries and redundancy cash. They also asked for the adoption of a programme for the re-organisation of this company which has been in bankruptcy procedures for over one year. At the beginning of their protest in Zagreb on Wednesday morning they insisted on their reception by PM Racan. As he did not receive them immediately, they went on hunger strike and requested that their meeting with Croatian President Stjepan Mesic be convened. Racan, however, came to talk with them shortly after 09.00 pm Wednesday. He promised that on Friday he would receive their delegation so that they and a bankruptcy commissioner for this company assess together what they can do for "Graditelj". After PM offered the protesters a bus to take them to their hometown of Vinkovci, most workers accepted the proposal, and only six decided to stay over the night in front the Government Building although it was raining. (hina) ms