SPLIT DIOKOM UNIONS FORWARD LETTER TO PREMIER MATESA

SPLIT, Aug 10 (Hina) - A bloc of unions of the Split "Diokom" on Tuesday forwarded Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa a letter containing demands that they be received within five day and that the Government guarantees them implementation of rehabilitation measures for their company which is facing downfall. This was reported at a press conference organised on Tuesday in Split by the unions. If their demands are not met, 2,500 Diokom employees who will be joined by employees from some 30 other companies in the Split- Dalmatia county will organise a large protest rally on St. Mark's Square in Zagreb. Today's press conference was organised and attended by the heads of the Croatian Association of Unions (HUS) as well as representatives of unions from several other companies in the region. Speaking about the deep economic and social crisis in Croatia, HUS president Zdenko Mucnjak expressed concern that workers could organise an uprising as early as September. Stressing that HUS was responsible for initiating and reaching a truce between the Government, employers and unions, Mucnjak claimed that union leaders would not be able to control dissatisfied employees and that an uprising was imminent unless the economic-social council came up with a social package. Local HUS leaders informed that there is over 43 thousand unemployed in the Split-Dalmatia County. Of these, 5,586 are Homeland War veterans. The head of the county HUS office, Jozo Maric stated that rehabilitation which took place in 30 regional companies did not do anything to revive the economy but rather just enable bare survival. Union reps from regional companies explained that employees from a regional company, "Laurus", have not been paid for 4 years. Employees from "Imostroj" too have not been paid for 14 months excepting two salaries which were paid following Economy Minister Nenad Porges' blessing. The company's account has been blocked for some time now. Union heads are angered by statements made recently by the county's prefect Branimir Luksic who offered to pay "Diokom" employees their train fare to Zagreb. Unionists hold that instead, Luksic should have taken a more active role in mediating with the Government. Unionists suggest that as a sign of good will, the Government convenes its next session in Split. (hina) sp