DIONA EMPLOYEES STAGE PROTEST RALLY IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - Workers of "Diona", a chain of stores within the Globus Group, staged a rally in front of the premises of the Globus management in Zagreb at about the noon on Monday, demanding that the Globus management and owner, Miroslav Kutle, give an explanation how the rehabilitation of Diona is proceeding. The Zagreb Commercial Court appointed a trustee in bankruptcy for Diona on 28 January. The trustee is expected to determine the exact debt of the company, believed to be several times higher than the company value, and to take over the control of financial and goods transactions. About 2,000 employees, gathered at the rally, vociferously expressed their demands. They asked the Croatian Government to urgently determine the ownership structure of Diona and initiate the control and supervision over the entire Globus Group and accompanying firms. They demanded that the Government immediately discuss the situation in Diona at its forthcoming session. The protesters insisted that the Government propose adequate measures against those liable for the bad situation in firms where the majority owner is Miroslav Kutle and initiate a debate at the Parliament. Until a final agreement is concluded with Diona's creditors, the Government should ensure the regular supplies of Diona stores. Speaking at the rally, the leader of the Association of Independent Trade Unions, Davor Juric, called on the management and directors of Diona, Globus and Dastra groups to address their workers at the rally. If they have been capable of creating such situation, they should be able to summon up the courage to appear before workers, Juric said adding that it was, however, illusory to expect Globus group owners to come to the rally. Juric replied that workers and trade unionists were not communists how they were dubbed by some authorities. What we only want is the work, salaries and the rule-of-law, he said adding that those who hold office should work within legal frameworks. After the rally, protesters headed toward the building of the Croatian National Parliament, but they were stopped by police at accesses to St. Mark's square where the Government's building is located. After a tussle, about 150 workers managed to break through the police cordon and arrive before the Government's premises. A four- member delegation of Diona workers entered the building to talk with Government representatives. Diona has 2,362 workers. Furthermore, its debts have put in jeopardy 12 big companies-creditors with 14,000 employees. (hina) jn ms