WORK CONTRACTS IN VUKOVAR HOSPITAL DISCONTINUED LEGALLY

VUKOVAR, Nov 4 (Hina) - The 152 employees of the Vukovar General Hospital whose work contracts expired on October 31 were notified on Wednesday that the contracts would not be extended. Since these are mainly Serb employees, Independent Serb Democratic Party (SDSS) president Vojislav Stanimirovic announced today he would seek urgent talks with Croatian Health Minister Zeljko Reiner. It is incorrect that 152 citizens of Serb nationality have been dismissed, Vukovar General Hospital manager Vesna Bosanac told Hina. The work contracts have been discontinued with people with whom they could not be extended for various reasons, she said. According to the Vukovar Press Centre, the SDSS will suggest to Reiner that the employees whose contracts have expired be offered a six-month contract extension, and that a solution for each individually be found in the meantime. "Work contracts have been discontinued with people in whose cases they could not be extended for various reasons," said Bosanac. "Part of the people (we had on staff) during the integration of the (eastern Croatian) health system (into Croatia's health system) must, in line with Minister Reiner's instructions, be returned to the (hospitals) from which they came to Vukovar. "There are also those who do not qualify, or who haven't validated their diplomas," she said. Bosanac added this was a legal procedure and not an instance based on revenge or national belonging. The Vukovar General Hospital currently has 430 people on staff, including 66 returnees. Seventy-seven employees are still in exile. (hina) ha mm