Pay Should Be Cut Back For Everyone, Not Just MPs

This is a sign that Croatia is in bigger trouble than PM Sanader mentioned, but this is just a symbolic move.

At the end of January, Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic announced the Parliament will discuss salary cut back of state officials. Like most MPs whom we asked if they would support this proposal, he believes everyone should display solidarity in these hard times of recession.

Upon deciding on the salaries of MPs, Bebic said, the Parliament will follow the model of other European countries which can be compared with Croatia. However, as the MPs said, if the decision on salary cut back is reached, it should not just encompass MPs, but all state officials.

- I don`t know if the speaker will propose the discussion on salary cut backs, but if salaries are frozen left and right, then it should be the case with state officials as well. This is a normal and symbolic gesture, nothing more. This would not save a lot. I would vote for the cut backs, but for all state officials – member of the Croatian People`s Party (HNS) Vesna Pusic said.

Damir Kajin of the Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) claims that if the salaries of state officials are reduced, purchase power will be reduced, which will lead to much more severe consequences. As he pointed out, after pay cut backs of officials, salaries of clerks will also be reduced, followed by the military, employees of the national TV network, Croatian Roads…

- This is a sign that Croatia is in bigger trouble than PM Sanader mentioned. The background of the announcement of the discussion was symbolism. Officials don`t have high salaries, this is surely not a privileged salary, although I agree that it amounts to ten average pensions. I believe that one should not cut back on salaries, but on serious matters – Kajin said.

To him, the speaker`s announcement is sheer demagogy.

- I see sheer symbolism in this step. The country is not governed by pulling the wool over people`s eyes – Kajin said, adding the IDS would “solidarise with everyone in the Parliament” if the vote takes place.

“Salaries cannot be cut back just for MPs”

Ivan Cehok of the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) agreed with him, who said that it the future, people who live off public money should be kept in mind. Still, he added that salaries could not be cut back just for MPs.

-Us MPs can give up our pay rise, but we won`t achieve anything short of a symbolic gesture with this – Cehok said.

President of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) representatives club Andrija Hebrang, who previously complained about having to pay parking tickets by himself, said that he would accept the salary cutbacks because it would calm down the people.

- The main political problem would be reducing salaries of officials. This is a symbolic move, but it would mean a lot psychologically. This was a clear message to officials “we are in a crisis” – Hebrang said, adding that pay rises should be planned in the long run for quality people.