CROATIAN GOVT SAYS DEMAND FOR 40% PENSION INCREASE UNREALISTIC

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The Croatian government finds a demand by pensioners for a 40 percent pension increase unrealistic, but it will make every effort to increase pensions as soon as the national budget permits, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said on Wednesday. Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Joso Skara had informed representatives of pensioners' organizations about the government view of this matter on Tuesday. The government accepted the pensioners' demand that presidents of the pensioners' organizations and trade union be included in the work of the Pension Fund managing committee, the ministry said in a statement. The pensioners' union has recently announced peaceful protests over the deteriorated position of pensioners. The pensioners claim they receive less than a half of the pension they are entitled to by law and warn that the introduction of value-added tax on January 1 next year will further aggravate their position. (hina) vm jn 091400 MET oct 96