'ZAGREPCANKA' WORKERS BLOCK TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN ZAGREB AGAIN

ZAGREB, Nov 13 (Hina) - About a hundred workers of the "Zagrepcanka trgovina" chain of stores on Monday blocked traffic for an hour in Zagreb's Heinzel Street, demanding the payment of their salaries and a programme which would provide for the workers once bankruptcy proceedings in the company are initiated. The workers, who blocked traffic in front of their company's headquarters in Heinzel Street last Thursday, blocked traffic at a nearby junction at 10am. After traffic was restored, the protesters gathered in front of the company headquarters. The workers have been protesting for days demanding that the government, which is the company's 100-percent owner, secure the payment of their salaries for September and October and a programme of reorganisation and care for redundant workers before the start of bankruptcy proceedings, announced for the end of this month. If the workers' demands are not met, the union of "Zagrepcanka trgovina" employees threatens to stage a protest rally on November 24 in front of Zagreb's 'Intercontinental' hotel, where the leaders of European Union and Balkan countries are to meet for a summit. (hina) rml