The Ministry of Finance has secured a total of 5.6 billion kuna for the payment of salaries, pensions, and capitation fees for doctors (family medicine doctors will receive 240 million kuna on January 15).
From the budget itself, 3.5 billion kuna (60 percent of the amount) will be paid, while 2.1 billion kuna will be covered by a short-term loan. Minister Šuker stated that the Ministry of the Interior received salaries on January 5, the Ministry of Defense in two parts by January 7, and by January 14, all budget users will receive their salaries. Pensions have already started being sent out on January 7 by mail and will be in accounts within five days, while the majority of the amount will be deposited into commercial banks tomorrow. Šuker thus refuted ‘predictions’ and media reports that suggested salaries would be delayed. ‘Despite the ominous prophets, salaries and pensions are not in question,’ Prime Minister Sanader stated. The first month is bridged by a loan, but the question remains where and how the funds for each subsequent month will be secured.
On January 1, the Law on Personal Identification Number (OIB) came into effect, which Sanader called the beginning of a new era, as it is an important and effective tool in the fight against corruption. The OIB will be explained to citizens through a special media campaign, with the key clarification being that this number will make life easier for citizens who will not have to ‘jump’ from door to door collecting documents, but rather have the administration do this for them, precisely through the OIB. On January 12, the delivery of OIBs to citizens’ home addresses will begin (but not in blue envelopes, to prevent frightened citizens from rejecting them). So far, 800 thousand envelopes have been printed, and by the start of distribution, there will be 1.2 million. Confidentiality, Šuker claims, is completely protected, and the website where citizens can find out their number cannot be ‘hacked.’ Citizens can also obtain their OIB via SMS at the number 61642 or on the website www.oib.hr.
The Ministry of Education is monitoring the gas situation and will decide on a possible postponement of the start of classes accordingly. Classes are currently set to begin normally on Monday, but a final decision will be made on Saturday. (G. G.)
