Government and unions of government sector employees sign agreement

ZAGREB, June 18 (Hina) - The Croatian government and most unions of workers in the government sector on Friday signed an agreement whereby unions waive their right to this year's Christmas bonus, but keep their right to holiday cash grant and child bonus.

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor signed the agreement with members of a negotiating team of government sector employees, which did not include representatives of the Union of Government Employees of Croatia.

Under the agreement, government employees this year will not receive Christmas bonuses, and funds for that purpose will be used to pay unemployment benefits instead. Nevertheless, government employees will receive a holiday cash grant in the amount of HRK 1,250 and a child bonus in the amount of HRK 400. The agreement signed today also regulates compensation for travel expenses.

The two sides agreed to cooperate in drawing up a bill on salaries in the public sector, a plan for an optimal number of employees, and a plan to provide for surplus workforce.

The government pledged not to unilaterally cancel the collective agreement for government employees before its expiry on 31 July 2012, which means that some 65,000 employees in the government sector will continue enjoying all rights guaranteed by the collective agreement, including Christmas bonuses, for two more years.

The agreement is proof that the government does not want to cancel collective agreements, but rather to negotiate with the social partners and reach agreement on amendments to collective agreements in line with the current economic and financial situation.



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