MEAT INDUSTRY'S WORKERS PROTEST IN FRONT OF GOVT. FOR FIFTH DAY

ZAGREB, Nov 15 (Hina) - Some 300 workers of meat-processing industry Zagrepcanka rallied in front of the government building in downtown Zagreb for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, seeking talks with the prime minister. The workers demand payment of backlog salaries and severance wages, a reorganisation programme for their company, as well as care for the workers after bankruptcy is filed at the end of the month. A delegation headed by Mario Ivekovic, head of the Zagreb County Office of the Croatian Association of Trade Unions (HUS), was received by members of the government. Today's protest began with a rally at the company's headquarters. The workers then headed downtown, blocking traffic at 10.30 hrs for fifteen minutes. A police cordon awaited them on the way to the government building which they tried to break through around 11 a.m. A woman fell, but sustained only light injuries in the attempt. In front of the government building, Zagrepcanka's workers called out officials' names, with that of Deputy Prime Minister Slavko Linic mentioned the most. Police stuck around even after workers' representatives went inside for negotiations and the workers peacefully waited outside. At this morning's rally at the company's headquarters, Ivekovic said this was the last rally of warning ahead of the Nov. 24 Zagreb Summit. Joined by workers from another dozen companies, they will protest at the summit's opening to embarrass the government for its treatment of them and its failure to solve Zagrepcanka's issues, he said. Ivekovic announced a mass rally in December if the government in the meantime failed to meet HUS' request for the establishment of a special fund for salaries and severance wages for workers of bankrupt companies. He added Zagrepcanka's workers would continue with daily traffic blockades in Zagreb. (hina) ha