GOVERNMENT & EMPLOYERS ASK UNIONS TO CALL OFF PROTESTS

( Editorial: --> 7859 ) ZAGREB, 28 Jan (Hina) - Government and employer representatives on Wednesday called on Croatian unions to refrain from planned public protests, especially during the next month. But their appeal during today's special meeting of the Economic- Social Council (GSV) was rejected by union representatives, who said the announced demonstrations would go ahead. At a news conference after the meeting, Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) director Zeljko Ivancevic and Labour and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara said that during the next month tripartite relations between employers, the government and unions would be improved to a better standard than up to now. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) spokesman Davor Juric said unions had nothing against discussing contentious issues in the GSV, but more protests and strikes would be held this year than before. "The government is not afraid of strikes and protests, but it maintains that 1998 should be the year of social dialogue," Minister Skara replied. (Hina) mm mb 281925 MET jan 98