GOVERNMENT SENDS BEST WISHES FOR LABOUR DAY

( Editorial: --> 0475 ) ZAGREB, April 29 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Wednesday sent congratulations to Croatian citizens on this Friday's holiday, Labour Day. Labour and Welfare Minister Jozo Skara, trade unions and political parties also sent congratulations. Matesa stressed the Government's efforts to draw up modern labour legislation and effective social programmes, and to ensure economic stability. These efforts are geared toward creating "a social partnership in which the development of entrepreneurship will go hand in hand with workers' rights", Matesa said. In his message, Labour and Welfare Minister Joso Skara said that the realisation of basic national goals had created the prerequisites for the nation "to direct its energies toward the economic and social development of the Republic of Croatia and the improvement of the financial and social position of all Croatian citizens". The Association of Independent Trade Unions on Wednesday organised a reception for Government and party representatives and trade unions. Union leader Davor Juric announced a number of union-sponsored events on Labour Day. Labour-minded citizens will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of entertainment. This includes the reintroduction of a the traditional parade which was first held in 1890, as well as a free dish of beans. The Association of Workers' Unions, which will organise the bean event, announced it would take the opportunity to vocalise their demands to the Croatian Government. These include, according to union leader Boris Kunst, the drawing up of a programme of economic development, a strict audit of privatisation transactions, higher salaries, lower VAT rates and the postponement of pension system reform until the three social partners - the Government, the workers and the employers - reach an agreement. (hina) jn as/mb 292031 MET apr 98