INTERNATIONAL UNION ORGANISATION PROTESTS CROATIAN GOVT DECISION

( Editorial: --> 9109 ) ZAGREB, 3 Feb (Hina) - The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) last week sent the Croatian President a "strong protest" over the Croatian Government's decision on the nationalisation of union property, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) announced on Tuesday. The ICFTU totally rejected the government's standpoint, which was presented on 11 January by the Deputy Labour and Social Welfare Minister Vera Babic, that the government's decision on the nationalisation of union property was in line with conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Mrs Babic's claims leave the impression that the ILO supports the government's standpoint, which is incorrect considering the fact that a report from the ILO's Expert Committee will not be released until March, the protest said. The ICFTU "strongly appeals" to the government to again examine and revoke its decision on nationalisation of union property, and join in negotiations with Croatian unions for the sake of finding a satisfactory solution, the protest said. (Hina) jn mb 031923 MET feb 98