TEXTILE WORKERS TO STAGE PROTEST RALLY IN FRONT OF GOVT. BUILDING

ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - Workers of the footwear factory "Buducnost" in Ludbreg, 70 kilometres north-east of Zagreb, and of the textile mill in Duga Resa, 50 kilometres south-west of Zagreb, announced a protest rally for Tuesday in front of the building of the Croatian Government in Marco's Square in Zagreb. Protesters demand the Government should ensure the payment of salaries and give its opinion on prospects of these two factories. The leader of the Textile Workers Trade Union (TOKG), Josip Zidanic told Monday's press conference that the Government failed to fulfil the commitment it had assumed on May 20 after the first protest rally of the Buducnost factory employees. The Government had promised then to pay 4.6 million kuna to cover the firm's debts and ensure the payments for one month's salaries. Salaries have been given to workers, but the money for this purpose has been obtained from the firm's own sources and via the trade union's account, as the account of the factory has been blocked. Zidanic added that workers from Duga Resa had been on strike since May 24, demanding the payment for two unpaid earned salaries. These workers had previously staged a protest before the Authorities of Karlovac County and then they were told that the Government would buy their products for 3.5 million kuna and dispatch it as relief aid to Kosovo refugees. The Government, however, bought just a half of the agreed goods, Zidanic said. He added that the owners of the Duga Resa textile mill, Privatisation and Investment Funds (PIFs)- Dom and Slavonijainvest - told the mill's workers they were not interested in this factory, which they practically got free, and that they would like to sell it as soon as possibly. Zidanic feared that workers in the textile industry would face more frequently with such problems and therefore they should notify Premier Zlatko Matesa of their possible fate. TOKG expects some 1,400 workers at tomorrow's protest rally. (hina) ms