ZAGREB, Nov 17 (Hina) - The Croatian Social Liberal Party-Social Democratic Party (HSLS/SDP) coalition on Wednesday committed to, in case of electoral victory, fulfil with its economic and social policy the demands of the Federation
of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH). The SSSH will in return support the coalition at the impending parliamentary elections. The president of the HSLS, Drazen Budisa, SDP's Ivica Racan, and SSSH's Davor Juric today to that effect signed the Agreement for Just Croatia. Juric said the Agreement was an elaboration of 25 minimal demands the SSSH on the occasion of the elections forwarded to all relevant parties. The SSSH tried to agree on everything that is contained in the Agreement with the ruling party, but failed in most cases, he added. The SSSH will sign the same Agreement with the parties making the other opposition coalition, Juric said
ZAGREB, Nov 17 (Hina) - The Croatian Social Liberal Party-Social
Democratic Party (HSLS/SDP) coalition on Wednesday committed to,
in case of electoral victory, fulfil with its economic and social
policy the demands of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of
Croatia (SSSH).
The SSSH will in return support the coalition at the impending
parliamentary elections.
The president of the HSLS, Drazen Budisa, SDP's Ivica Racan, and
SSSH's Davor Juric today to that effect signed the Agreement for
Just Croatia.
Juric said the Agreement was an elaboration of 25 minimal demands
the SSSH on the occasion of the elections forwarded to all relevant
parties. The SSSH tried to agree on everything that is contained in
the Agreement with the ruling party, but failed in most cases, he
added.
The SSSH will sign the same Agreement with the parties making the
other opposition coalition, Juric said. The second coalition
includes the Croatian Peasants' Party, the Croatian People's
Party, the Liberal Party, and the Istrian Democratic Assembly.
Even though the SSSH will support the current opposition at the
elections, Juric said the federation would remain a non-party,
independent organisation, as well as a constructive, but strong
opposition to the new government if necessary.
HSLS president Budisa said every item of the Agreement signed today
had been analysed closely. This makes it a seriously compiled
document by which the HSLS/SDP coalition bound itself to fulfil
what it estimated it can, he added.
SDP's Ivica Racan said the Agreement neither made the parties trade
unions, nor vice versa. Both express their positions regarding
economic and social issues, he said, adding the SDP had advocated
these positions in the past, but had been unable to do much due to
the balance of forces in parliament. This balance will soon change,
he asserted.
The Agreement binds the HSLS and the SDP to pass in case of electoral
victory an economic and social development strategy, with emphasis
on restructuring in economy in which unions' representatives would
participate. The Agreement also binds the two parties to control
and revise privatisation, and to the inclusion of unions in the
privatisation of public and other companies.
The Agreement states that a possible HSLS/SDP government will set
the minimum salary in the state at the existential minimum, enable
the right to strike in case of non-payment of salaries, introduce
progressive taxation and tax relief for investments in new jobs,
and reduce the rate of Value Added Tax, with expanded application of
the zero rate.
(hina) ha jn