COORDINATION BODY INCLUDING UNION, HFP REPS ESTABLISHED

ZAGREB, Aug 3 (Hina) - A coordination body including representatives of the Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP) and union federations was established in Zagreb on Thursday. The task of this body, which is a permanent HFP working body, is to systematically follow the situation in companies from the HFP portfolio. HFP president Hrvoje Vojkovic told reporters today branch coordination bodies including union branches and HFP experts would be established next week. These bodies will be in charge of finding the best solutions for overcoming the crisis in some companies and economic branches. Vojkovic said those bodies should contribute to openness in dealing with all important issues and developing the institutional dialogue between unions and the HFP. Union representatives were informed at today's meeting about the results of operation of several hundred companies from the state portfolio, which have a poor performance. Vitomir Begovic, secretary of the Association of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia and the current chairman of the Economic and Social Council (GSV), said the most important achievement was the fact that unions were finally equal partners in the process of restructuring of Croatia's economy and its further privatisation. The state, as the owner of majority or less shares in some companies, is responsible for contributing to the consolidation of the situation, the recovery of those companies, and the preservation of as many jobs as possible. However, Begovic believes that business banks are also responsible for the collapse of those companies and should therefore accept their share of responsibility as well. (hina) rml