PM Plenkovic with Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic and Dubrovnik-Neretva County head Nikola Dobroslavic

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Saturday that the government's decision on quotas for foreign workers would have to be changed considering the lack of certain types of workers.

Plenkovic made the statement after meeting with Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic and Dubrovnik-Neretva County head Nikola Dobroslavic.

"The government has a special inclination to this county because in terms of transport infrastructure it is not connected (with the rest of the country) as well as other counties. The mayor and the county head have for years underlined the importance of the Peljesac Bridge project. The funds for that have been approved and the project will be implemented. As regards Dubrovnik, the government understands problems caused by an increase in tourists coming on cruise ships and that the number should be such to enable the city to absorb it because the city is on UNESCO's world heritage list and requires a more regulated flow of guests. But it is important that the city and county also develop as a university centre that attracts young people," Plenkovic said.

Asked how the government would tackle the problem of insufficient labour force, he said that the tourism sector as well as other sectors, such as construction, were faced with that problem.

"Employment has been growing, on July 1 there were fewer than 170,000 unemployed persons but we still lack workers for certain professions. This year we have increased the quota for foreign workers in certain professions but we will obviously have to change that decision. I expect a better influx also thanks to the free movement of workers within the EU."

Asked if the area of a planned golf course project on Mt Srdj overlooking Dubrovnik should be reduced from 310 to 100 hectares, Plenkovic said that that decision was up to the county authorities, noting that it was in Croatia's interest to avoid litigation and create a stable and safe investment climate.

Text: Hina

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