STATE EMPLOYEES' UNION URGES OPPOSITION STATEMENT ON SALARIES

ZAGREB, Nov 10 (Hina) - The trade union of state employees of Croatia on Wednesday demanded that the Opposition Six party group publicly state if in case of victory at the impending parliamentary elections it will accept an International Monetary Fund (IMF) demand for reduced salaries of state employees. Union president Ivica Ihas reminded in today's statement that according to a collective agreement between the government and seven state and public sector unions, state and public employees should receive a 12 percent salary increase in December. IMF representatives during two visits to Croatia this year urged the government to abandon the 12 percent salary increase. Ihas reminded both the government and the unions refused. The IMF then contacted opposition parties and on 30 September held a meeting on the matter with representatives of the Opposition Six. The union of state employees demands that the Opposition Six publicly speak about the talks with the IMF on salaries in public services, especially in view of the fact that some opposition leaders, particularly from the Social Democratic Party, said they would cut the state budget, namely some state employees' salaries by ten percent. After the Opposition Six takes its position, the union will recommend whom to vote for at the December elections. Ihas said in the statement the collective agreement refers to 320,000 users of the state budget, and the health and pension funds, and members of their families. (hina) ha jn