TALKS ON CROATIAN LABOUR BILL CONTINUE

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - Representatives of the Croatian Union of Employers and labour unions continued today talks on the Labour Bill, which is to be passed at the next session of the Parliament. Representatives of the government, labour unions and employers - members of the Economic and Social Council and the Social Partnership Council in public services held a meeting yesterday, which concentrated on the same topic but failed to result with any agreement on disputable issues from the Bill. Matters concerning employment, transfer, termination of employment, workers' participation in decision-making, unions, work agreement and strikes were not acceptable in the form given in the Bill, said the unions. "Unions are disturbed by the announcement of the Prime Minister Nikica Valentic saying that the government would introduce the Bill into the parliamentary procedure without unions' agreement", said Niko Gunjina, president of the Croatian Association of Unions. Deputy Labour and Welfare Minister, Vera Babic, responded that the government would take into consideration all union remarks on changes that did not put in question the very concept of the Act. The Labour Unions Association of state-owned companies said at today's press conference that the final draft of the Labour Bill would mean defeat of the unions and that the unions should use "all means at their disposal" to prevent the passing of the Bill. The Association filed protests to the government, because it was not given the possibility of equal participation in the work of the Economic and Social Council. The Association was therefore forced to refer to the European Federation of Public Offices (EUROFEDOP) and the European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC) for help, said Association representatives. (hina) mm rm 111835 MET apr 95