Topić: The Key to Overcoming the Crisis is in the Hands of Craftsmen

‘The crisis will not bypass Croatian craftsmen, but if the Government of the Republic of Croatia accepts the measures and proposals we have compiled and sent to its address, or at least half of them, it will be possible to overcome most problems. Although the crisis affects the smallest the most, we believe that the situation in our craftsmanship is not nearly as dire as in the case of financial institutions and large companies,’ said Mato Topić, president of HOK.

The president of HOK is convinced that small craftsmen have the opportunity to adapt to the changes imposed by the global crisis the fastest and most agilely. He also added that the global crisis strengthens the need for all national institutions to reduce costs, and that HGK has sent the government three packages of measures to overcome the crisis: those for stimulating economic growth, removing barriers to increasing competitiveness, and alleviating the consequences of the crisis for the most vulnerable craftsmen.
Announcing the most important goals for this year, Topić emphasized that HOK will focus its efforts on adapting Croatian craftsmen to the rules of the European Union, familiarizing them with business regulations and the possibility of survival in the EU market.

If the government accepts part of their measures, there could be new crafts opening this year, Topić is convinced, adding that last year saw a 2% decrease in the number of craftsmen. In the current gas crisis, craftsmen have mostly managed with their own alternative solutions, so HOK currently has no information about significant losses due to gas disconnection. HOK is currently conducting a survey among its members about the number of craftsmen who have been directly affected by the ban on Sunday work. However, although he claims that it cannot possibly be about 7,000 layoffs as reported by the media, Topić adds that traders-craftsmen are in a specific situation because it is mostly about family businesses where only a few workers are employed. Therefore, it cannot be about a large number of laid-off workers as is the case with retail chains. Nevertheless, Topić does not believe that the non-payment of workers is well resolved by the ban on Sunday work. HOK will therefore advocate for the right of entrepreneurs to decide on Sunday work, as well as for the right of every restaurateur to choose whether to have a venue for smoking or non-smoking patrons.  (Ema Martinović)