ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - Parliament on Tuesday started a debate on a final bill of amendments to the Labour Act, the most important law from the labour and social legislation package, as members of trade unions were protesting outside
the parliament building.
ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - Parliament on Tuesday started a debate on a
final bill of amendments to the Labour Act, the most important law
from the labour and social legislation package, as members of trade
unions were protesting outside the parliament building. #L#
About 400 members of trade unions staged a protest dissatisfied
with an announced reduction in dismissal periods and severance pay
and an increase in the number of employees working for small
business owners from the current 10 to 20.
The social partners -- the government, employers and trade unions -
- have held 17 meetings, discussed 180 different institutions and
their practical implications and have tried to harmonise different
interests, Labour and Welfare Minister Davorko Vidovic told
deputies.
"We've achieved excellent results in this matter, and only a small
number of issues remain open," said Vidovic.
More precise provisions have been formulated to ensure better
protection from discrimination at work, and a new instrument has
been introduced -- protection of workers who draw attention to
corruption.
The institution of workers' participation is now better ensured,
which has drawn criticism from the employers because the new model
envisages workers' representatives on all supervisory committees.
In future, both big and small business owners will have to explain
why they are firing a worker.
Vidovic said that a balance between severance wages and dismissal
periods was also better.
The reduction of some rights that affect senior employees with 25-
30 years of service will be compensated for, although not entirely,
with a law on employment agencies.
The entire legislation package will ensure flexibility on the
labour market and a competitiveness of the Croatian economy, while
on the other hand it will bring Croatia's legislation in line with
EU standards, the minister said.
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