Prime Minister Milanovic extends best wish to citizens on Labour Day

"The difficult economic situation that I have sincerely spoken about for the past three years, even in the messages I delivered on previous Labour Days, are still not entirely behind us. This year though for the first time I can rightly say that the government's responsible policies that we have insisted on despite the criticism and lack of understanding, are beginning to give measurable positive results.

The turnaround in behaviour and leading the country which we slowly but persistently and systematically implemented, has brought Croatia to the verge of exiting the long-standing recession, already we have a stable and long-term sustainable growth in industrial production, exports and consumption and these are in fact indicators on which we have to build economic development and a better life for Croatian citizens," the prime minister said in his greeting.

Milanovic underlined that he was happy with the direction Croatia was heading in.

"I'm happy with the direction Croatia is heading in today and that's forward. I'm grateful to citizens who have shown patience and readiness to temporarily do without, and we, decision makers have to appreciate that.

However, the years ahead of us will show that it was not all in vain and citizens will have long-lasting benefit from our policies and Croatia, which is most important, will become an economically stable country," the prime minister said.

He noted that he was aware that the only way to justify the trust and patience people have shown is with new jobs, namely to employ young people and raise living standards.

"I am aware that we can justify the trust and patience people have shown us only by opening new jobs, employing young people, reducing the number of socially vulnerable people and raising the standard of living of all our citizens. I guarantee you that these are the key objectives of my government in the last year of our term and also a constituent part of our political idea of Croatia which is going forward.

The small tax relief on salaries which raised monthly incomes for hundreds of thousands of citizens, debt write off for socially vulnerable citizens, protection of citizens with loans denominated in Swiss francs and our staunch attitude that pensions cannot and will not be reduced are just part of the proven care we have for Croatian citizens," he underscored.

"Even though this is the first time that the number of the unemployed fell below 300,000 ahead of Labour Day, we are not satisfied, only additionally motivated. All the funds that Croatia has at its disposal from EU funds will be directed to projects that open new jobs.

That is the best proof of caring for Croatian workers and all Croatian citizens to whom I, on behalf of that government and myself, wish all the best for International Labour Day, Prime Minister Milanovic says in his greeting.

(Hina)

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