Gov't gives go-ahead to draft collective agreement with civil servants

The Croatian government on Thursday approved a draft collective agreement for some 60,000 civil servants, which was the result of four rounds of talks between the government negotiating team and representatives of trade unions of employees in the police, the defence sector, the judiciary, tax and customs administrations and some other segments of the state administration.

Deputy Prime Minister Neven Mimica, who was one of the government negotiators, said today that after the government's approval and after the document passed the ongoing review procedure among the relevant trade unions, the new four-year collective agreement could be signed next week.

The signing of the agreement is due on 2 August.

Unionists have given up some entitlements, but only temporarily such as nonpayment of Christmas bonuses this and next year, and unionists will go without holiday cash grants next year.

Minister Mimica stressed that all other rights regarding the wage base and scales remained intact.

According to Mimica, transport allowances are to be given to those who use public transportation or drive their own cars to jobs.

Under the annexes to the new collective agreement, the jubilee awards for civil servant working for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years in their jobs are to be axed by half.

The government believes that the implementation of the new collective agreement can help in saving two billion kuna from the wage budget for the public sector.

The existing collective agreement for civil servants expires on 31 July. (Hina)