CRO LOWER HOUSE ADOPTS AMENDMENTS TO OFFICIALS' SALARIES LAW

( Editorial: --> 7237 ) ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The Croatian National Parliament will issue special decisions regarding the salaries of the three most senior state officials - the President of the Republic, President of the Croatian National Parliament and Prime Minister. The salaries of other state officials will be decided on in accordance with the salary of the President of the National Parliament. The ratios of the salaries are stipulated in amendments to the law on the duties and rights of state officials which the Parliament's House of Representatives adopted at Friday's session. Dismissing a motion by the government, the MPs adopted salary ratios as suggested by the Committee for the Constitution, Rules of Procedure and Political System. In relation to the salary of the National Parliament President, the salary ratios for other state officials have been placed into 15 categories. The highest ratio of 92 per cent has been accepted for the president of the Parliament's House of representatives and deputy presidents of the Government and House of Representatives. Ministers will receive salaries at a ratio of 72 per cent of the Parliament President's salary, while MPs and the Lower House secretary will receive salaries at a ratio of 66 per cent. The least ratio is of 46 per cent, which is the salaries ministers' assistants will receive. The Croatian President will determine the salaries of officials he appoints and who are not mentioned in the Law, such as the Presidential Chief-of-Staff. The salaries of state officials will be made public. State officials will also be unable to be members of managing boards of companies and funds not financed by the government budget. The Government had motioned that judges and other officials in the justice system not be exempt from the amendment, and the government would submit a bill on their salaries within 30 days. As nobody requested individual voting on the motion, the motion became an integral part of the amendment. The House of Representatives also adopted a report by the Legislation Committee stating that there is no need for a detailed interpretation of the Decision on the salary of the President of the Republic (reached on July 10), because the Decision is not valid. The Decision was adopted by the House of Representatives before the law on the duties and rights of state officials came into effect. The Committee for Elections, Appointments and Administrative Affairs must submit to the House of Representatives suggestions on the salaries of the President, Parliament President and Prime Minister. The Lower House is expected to decide on the issue at the next session. (hina) lml 091849 MET oct 98