DIOKOM BANKRUPTCY COMMISSIONER RESIGNS, WORKERS TAKE TO STREETS

SPLIT, Aug 29 (Hina) - Workers with the Split-based company "Diokom", took to the streets on Tuesday to express their indignation at the resignation of the Diokom's trustee in bankruptcy Joso Malenica. Malenica is the third trustee to have resigned from this position. According to unionists, about 1,000 Diokom workers took to the streets spontaneously. Employees, who fear that they will go on the dole, said they would continue with 45-minute-long protest rallies every day in Split streets in order to retain their jobs and help Diokom to survive, with assistance of the Croatian Government and local authorities. Besides, they said they could understand Malenica's conduct. Malenica, who took over this office a month ago, tendered his resignation to the bankruptcy council, on Tuesday morning. Later on he told reporters it had been difficult for him to make such a decision but he did so after his talks with Split Mayor Ivan Skaric and a MP, Vesna Podlipec, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Malenica said he had got an impression that local authorities were not very interested in helping this firm. Diokom, which used to be a leading company in Dalmatia, now employs 2,308 workers. It has filed for bankruptcy. Economy Minister, Goranko Fizulic, however, is in favour of its survival. He has held a few meetings with the management, trustee and workers so far and is expected to come to Split on September 1 to continue with these efforts. (hina) ms