CROATIAN UNION REPS COMMENT ON ILO CONFERENCE

( Editorial: --> 7843 ) ZAGREB, July 15 (Hina) - A committee for the application of International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards has discussed a complaint submitted by the Croatian Association of Independent Unions against the Croatian Health Ministry concerning the violation of Convention 102. The convention refers to the minimum social insurance and the complaint over its violation was discussed by the committee at its 86th conference held from June 2 to 18 in Geneva, Union of Public Employees president Vilim Ribic told a press conference on Wednesday. Because of the Health Ministry's decision, employees who do not receive their wages have been deprived of integral health protection and their health insurance contributions are not being paid. This case was reported to the ILO as early as 1995 and the Government did not even send the required documentation, Ribic said. Ribic said he requested the ILO to take more decisive steps so that the necessary documents could be obtained and adequate measures be taken against the Croatian Government for violating the convention. Croatia is one of 35 countries which have ratified all seven basic conventions from the area of human rights. Numerous Croatian laws are offering a high level of rights but the possibilities of their exercise have been reduced, Ribic assessed. Without constant supervision by the ILO, respect for workers' rights would be jeopardised, Ribic said. This year's ILO conference has achieved a high level of agreement concerning the globalisation of working standards and application of ratified conventions. (hina) jn rml/mbr 151759 MET jul 98