CRO COMPANIES WORKING IN GERMANY PAY LESSER WAGE TO WORKERS

ZAGREB, Sept 27 (Hina) - Some Croatian construction companies operating in Germany, are paying drastically lower wages to their workers, secretary of the Croatian Workers' Alliance (HRS) Zeljko Sinkovic said in Zagreb Wednesday. One construction company, which employs over 200 workers, operating in Germany in line with an agreement on performing works abroad, is paying about DM1,200 per month less than their wages in line with an agreement, Sinkovic told a press conference. According to Sinkovic, the main problem is the lessening of hourly earnings of Croatian employees, which is being hidden from German labour inspections and trade unions. Even though it is known that minimum hourly earning of an unskilled worker in Germany amounts to DM18.5, some companies in pre- contracts with Croatian workers set hourly earning between DM11 and DM13. The HRS has evidence on at least three of 190 companies operating in Germany which are violating the rights of their employees. The HRS, however, does not wish to make their names public until the government guarantees to workers, who are going to testify, that they will be provided with secure jobs and salaries. In case the Croatian government fails to provide guarantees to Croatian workers in Germany, the HRS will seek help from German trade unions, Sinkovic said. Secretary of the government's commission for issuing work permits Marija Knezevic, who attended the press conference told Sinkovic that Croatian workers in Germany can send their complaints to the Croatian Labour and Social Welfare Ministry, and added that those employers would no longer be able to receive a work permit for abroad. Besides, our employees can also contact German supervising bodies, which will fine employees who have violated tariff agreements on the spot. Fines for such violations in Germany are very strict, Knezevic said. (hina) it jn