ZAGREB, Nov 22 (Hina) - A Deputy Prime Minister, Slavko Linic, told the Croatian parliament that union leaders, as well as the Sisak mayor and the Sisak-Moslavina County prefect, who knew in detail the developments in the town's
ironworks, tried to stage incidents rather than find a solution to the problems of the company's employees.
ZAGREB, Nov 22 (Hina) - A Deputy Prime Minister, Slavko Linic, told
the Croatian parliament that union leaders, as well as the Sisak
mayor and the Sisak-Moslavina County prefect, who knew in detail
the developments in the town's ironworks, tried to stage incidents
rather than find a solution to the problems of the company's
employees. #L#
Unions in the Sisak Ironworks and local authorities knew that funds
had been secured for the payment of overdue salaries, Linic said,
addressing MPs who had insisted he inform them of the developments
in Sisak.
They also knew that the chairman of the creditors' council did not
want to convene a session for two days although he knew the wages had
been secured, Linic said, branding him as the main culprit for the
incidents in Sisak.
Those events show that workers are being manipulated with, Linic
said, adding that one did not get pays in the street.
He said that eight days ago the Croatian Privatisation Fund had
secured 16 million kuna for the payment of overdue salaries for
August and September, as well as for October.
This was done after it was assessed that such a move was necessary
for the continuation of negotiations in bids to find a new strategic
partner for the Sisak plant.
"The unions have been informed of that but workers have taken over
the ironworks which is owned by the Commercial Court," the
government official said, accusing the unions of obstructing the
work of the court.
He recalled that on 18 and 19 November the ironworks' bankruptcy
council had discussed who might assume care for the employees, and
entrusted the creditors' council chairman with the task. It was,
however, only last night that he convened a session over the phone,
Linic explained.
This was the reason for yesterday's events in Sisak and not the
government, which was accused by the chairman of the creditors'
council, who is also a member of the Sisak town authorities in
charge of local economy. Had he convened the session earlier, no
incident would have occurred, Linic asserted.
(hina) ms sb