Public sector unions are seeking a six percent pay increase based on an agreement which specifies that basic wages would increase when Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grows by 2 or more percent for two consecutive quarters.
The 2016 draft budget, however, does not foresee the funds for the pay increase which would require a sum of HRK 1.8 billion. According to previous reports, the negotiations between the government and trade unions are set to commence on March 21.
The government today also adopted a decision on official correspondence between government bodies whereby non-administrative acts and other material are to be communicated via e-mail with the aim of cutting costs. Public Administration Minister Dubravka Jurlina Alibegovic believes that this could save up to HRK 24 million.
The government merged the Regional Development Agency with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency for European Union aid projects and appointed Sonja Bosnjak the national coordinator for EU assistance and cooperation programmes.
Her predecessor, Jaksa Puljiz, who in the previous, SDP-led government was Deputy Regional Development and EU Funds Minister, has been appointed by Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic as Chief Integration Officer, to coordinate the work of all government ministries.
(Text: Hina)