Stronger fiscal responsibility and expand the scope of activities of social work

The government on Thursday put forward to the parliament a new draft bill on fiscal responsibility introducing three new rules: structural balance, budget expenditure and public debt, and underscored its commitment to strengthening the independence of the Fiscal Policy Commission.

The first Croatian law on fiscal responsibility was adopted in 2010, and it was amended upon Croatia's admission to the European Union in mid-2013.

The new draft act is fully adjusted to the obligations stemming from the Stability and Growth Pact.

The new law will implement everything we have experienced over the past years, Finance Minister Zdravko Maric said.

The first rule refers to structural balance whereby the targeted value becomes a medium-term budgetary objective.

The second rule regulates budget expenditure, and general government budget expenditure growth must not exceed a referential potential growth rate of the country's economy.

 The third rule does not allow public debt to exceed 60% of the country's GDP.

The main task of the Fiscal Policy Commission is to envisage and evaluate the implementation of fiscal rules.

The Croatian government on Thursday decided to allocate a total of 30 million kuna to finance the implementation of infrastructure and rural development projects in areas populated by ethnic minorities.

The projects have been proposed following a public call for their selection and they are expected to facilitate equal development of all parts of Croatia.

Three ministries -- the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Economy Ministry -- are authorised to finance the projects of this kind in units of local authorities where ethnic minorities make up more than 5% of local population.

The funds will be awarded to projects intended to improve public utility and social infrastructure and to help family farms and small businesses.

The government on Thursday put forward to the parliament a draft bill regulating the scope of activities of social workers and the recognition of diplomas which social welfare professionals have earned abroad.

The proposed legislation regulates the scope of activities and the standard of education of social welfare professionals whose occupation is perceived as an occupation of the state interest.

The new legislation is aimed at improving the quality of work in this profession, Demography and Social Welfare Minister Neda Murganic said at the meeting of the government.

The government drafted  also amendments to the legislation on  educational and rehabilitation services.

Text: Hina

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