SOCIAL DIALOGUE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PROTESTS: EMPLOYMENT MINISTER

( Editorial: --> 2609 ) ZAGREB, 17 Feb (Hina) - Economic and social problems should be solved by the Economic-Social Council (GSV) because with social dialogue you can achieve more than by protests, said the Labour and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara on Tuesday, commenting on the announcement of a union protest on 20 February in Zagreb. The GSV is a tripartite body comprised of representatives of the government, unions and employers. At a media conference, Skara denied claims by the Confederation of Independent Unions in Croatia that the government only chose one union organisation as a partner for social dialogue, the Federation of Independent Unions in Croatia (SSSH), and that it suspended the work of GSV. President of the Confederation of Independent Unions, Dubravko Surina, said the impossibility of solving problems in the framework of that council is the reason for the protest being called for 20 February. "Those statements are incorrect, witnessed by a string of documents and initiatives which the government has forwarded to GSV, as well as bilateral talks which are conducted with every union organisation," claimed Skara. All union organisations are equal in the eyes of the government, stated Skara. Following discussions with SSSH, Premier Zlatko Matesa invited the Croatian Association of Trade Unions and the Association of Workers' Trade Unions of Croatia to talks, which their leaders declined. Skara said he expects that the protest announced for 20 February will proceed in line with the Law on Public Gatherings and city regulations on the location of protests, that is it will not take place at the central Zagreb square as announced but at a location designated for such gatherings. (hina) jn mrb 171833 MET feb 98