UNIONISTS, PROMPTED BY LINIC'S STATEMENT, ASK SESSION OF GSV

ZAGREB, June 1 (Hina) - Five trade union federations have asked the Croatian government to convene a session of the Economic Social Council (GSV) for next week in order to discuss announcements of a Deputy Prime Minister, Slavko Linic, that workers' rights are going to be reduced. Leaders of the Croatian Federation of Trade Unions (HUS), the Federation of Civil Servants' Unions, the Independent Croatian Trade Unions, the Federation of the Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) and the Federation of Workers' Unions of Croatia (URSH) issued a statement on Thursday severely condemning Linic's announcement who said earlier this week that amendments to the Labour Law would be drawn up under which redundancy cash would be cut and a period of notice shortened. According to Linic, the changes will be made without consultations with unions. "Excluding unions from discussions on workers' rights is in contravention of the Government's commitment to social dialogue," the unionists cautioned. They asked the Ivica Racan Cabinet not to treat them as political rivals and opponents, and called on the government to conduct a serious dialogue in bids to carry out reforms. The unionists also ask that the social dialogue should not be led through media but within legal bodies of the social partners, in particular within the GSV. (hina) ms