The decision on Christmas bonuses will be made tomorrow at the Government meeting. What we can ensure is 625 kuna. However, there is still room for dialogue, stated Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.
She added that the Government often finds itself in a situation she described as unusual. On one hand, we have demands for the dismissal of 20 to 30 thousand people from public services, and on the other hand, an unyielding refusal of any dialogue. The Prime Minister emphasized that we are in a complex situation but that state finances are stable. She confirmed that she sent a letter to public institutions stating the maximum amount of Christmas bonuses. Regarding the Christmas bonuses that have already been paid to some employees in healthcare, she said discussions are still ongoing. She highlighted that the rules must be the same for everyone and that there is room for discussion about everything that the state budget can bear. It has proven beneficial that we did not touch maternity benefits and child allowances. When asked about the crisis tax, the Prime Minister responded with a counter-question – what would it have been like if we had not introduced the crisis tax, respected collective agreements, and not paid pensions? We have made an effort to evenly distribute the burden of the crisis. The Prime Minister announced that it is time to open the question of all material rights from collective agreements in the public sector next year with social partners – salaries, transportation, Christmas bonuses, gifts for children, and others, as it is time to reconsider their rationality. It is time to see whether the allocation of taxpayers’ money is rational or not, as the 32 billion that goes for salaries from the budget is a huge amount that can be used more rationally so that those who work more are also better paid, said Kosor. (www.hrt.hr)
