GOVT & TRADE UNIONS SIGN AGREEMENT ON SALARIES

( Editorial: --> 7685 ) ZAGREB, Dec 11 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian government and 11 trade unions, whose members' salaries are provided by the state budget, on Thursday signed a pay agreement in 1998. According to the agreement, in 1998 basic salaries of state employees whose unions signed the agreement will rise one per cent as of January 1, and an additional ten per cent as of November 1. The current basic salary of 1,003 kunas (US$161.7) should by the end of 1998 mark a 27 per cent rise, reaching 1,275 kunas (US$205.6). Premier Matesa said the agreement was good and corresponded to Croatia's fundamental interests. It is part of the continuity of the government's efforts to raise the salaries of budget beneficiaries, Matesa said. The common goal of the government and the trade unions is to have highly professional, efficient, as well as well-paid civil servants and employees. The Croatian Teachers Trade Union and the Independent Trade Union of Secondary School Employees did not sign the agreement, as they believe the it is not sufficient to correct the issue of poor salaries of education employees. (hina) ha jn 111859 MET dec 97