ZAGREB, Dec 7 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan confirmed that his meeting with President Stjepan Mesic on Thursday evening had tackled tomorrow's strike of unions of public and state services, which are protesting the government's
refusal to grant an 8.5 percent increase of their basic salaries and pay Christmas bonuses and child allowances. "We have discussed that but I have nothing to add to what I said at today's government session," Racan told reporters after the meeting, which was held at the government building. According to Racan, President Mesic now understands the situation the government is in and why it cannot give in to "the escalation of demands by those who have organised the strike." Racan said the government had been informed by the organisers of tomorrow's strike that the strike would 'escalate' on December 14 and last until their demands were met. "I believe it is a paper (proposal) which includes talks
ZAGREB, Dec 7 (Hina) - Prime Minister Ivica Racan confirmed that his
meeting with President Stjepan Mesic on Thursday evening had
tackled tomorrow's strike of unions of public and state services,
which are protesting the government's refusal to grant an 8.5
percent increase of their basic salaries and pay Christmas bonuses
and child allowances.
"We have discussed that but I have nothing to add to what I said at
today's government session," Racan told reporters after the
meeting, which was held at the government building.
According to Racan, President Mesic now understands the situation
the government is in and why it cannot give in to "the escalation of
demands by those who have organised the strike."
Racan said the government had been informed by the organisers of
tomorrow's strike that the strike would 'escalate' on December 14
and last until their demands were met.
"I believe it is a paper (proposal) which includes talks and that
this threat will not be supported by the majority of responsible
people in public services and state administration," Racan said
adding the government would issue a statement about this tomorrow.
Racan told reporters he would not meet union representatives
tonight because "there can be no talks with my government through
ultimatums, I believe this is clear to everyone, and if it isn't, it
will be."
Tonight's meeting with the president of state at the government
building was part of regular talks between the presidents of state
and government, Racan said.
The meeting also tackled the budget, which is being discussed by the
parliament and which should be voted on next week, as well as about
activities which should take place following the adoption of
changes to the Constitution regulating issues from secret services
to the reorganisation of the Croatian army. These are, Racan said,
important elements of government's work in the long run, including
the reorganisation of the army, strengthening of its professional
component and reduction of military service to six months.
The prime minister was adamant that tonight's talks did not tackle
any concrete legal text, including the law on armed forces.
The meeting was consultative, he said adding it would end with a
dinner at the government building.
(hina) rml