HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HEARS LABOUR BILL IN THIRD READING

ZAGREB, May 10 (Hina) - The House of Representatives today heard the Labour Bill in the second reading. "The present labour legislation is an obstacle to market economy," Prime Minister Nikica Valentic said in his introductory address. "The proposed law wants to achieve a balance of interests," he said. "The Government is ready to continue negotiations with the social partners in order to resolve controversial issues." According to Valentic, a meeting of Government, business and labour representatives this morning managed to resolve five or six controversial provisions out of 12. "The Government is pursuing a welfare policy and is committed to maximum cooperativeness with and protection of both labour and business interests," Valentic emphasised.Detailing the international conventions incorporated in the Bill, Joso Skara said the proposed solutions "outweighed the rights and benefits granted by international instruments, particularly in the protection of motherhood, youth and the disabled." (hina) jn as 101505 MET may 95