UNIONS ARE REQUESTING CESSATION OF PLIVA'S INVESTMENTS ABROAD

ZAGREB, Nov 24 (Hina) - The Independent Union of Pliva (SSP) and the Union of Energy Supply, Chemistry and Non-metal Industry of Croatia (EKN) are requesting that the Government urgently convenes a session of the Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva's board of supervisors at which Pliva would be stopped from further purchase of foreign companies until full employment is ensured in Pliva's plants in Croatia, SSP president Damir Gasparovic told a news conference Wednesday. Presenting a letter to Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa in which union requests are presented, Gasparovic stressed Pliva had to far spent US$160 million for the purchase of plants abroad. Instead of using this money for jobs in Croatia, 2,600 workers have been employed in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, Gasparovic said. Asked why they forwarded their requests to the Government, which is not a majority owned of Pliva, EKN president Ivan Tomac said five of the ten members of the Board of Supervisors were under the Government's influence, so the Government can prevent Pliva's further investments abroad and the separating of its parts into separate companies. (hina) lml mm