Unions Against Pension Reform Proposal, Demand Return to Negotiating Table

Representatives of Croatian unions expressed their dissatisfaction with the pension reform proposal on Thursday at St. Mark’s Square, distributing leaflets to journalists and citizens and announcing protests in the fall.

President of the Independent Trade Unions of Croatia, Mladen Novosel, told reporters ahead of the Government session that Minister of Labor and Pension System, Marko Pavić, has “completely missed the mark” with the pension reform proposal.

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“We, despite the celebration of Croatian citizens, want to say that the discussion on pension reform is not conducted through dialogue but between the ruling parties that have not prepared for any pension law. We insist on returning to the negotiating table because unions, as social partners, have not received any proposals at any meeting,” said Novosel.

The unions oppose extending the working age to 67 years and demand a sustainable pension system and pensions, Novosel stated, announcing that in September they will call on union members and all citizens who feel affected by the new pension reform to take to the streets.

President of the Independent Croatian Trade Unions, Krešimir Sever, said that a headquarters similar to that of the national football team should be established for the government, as the ruling parties have distanced themselves from the citizens, unlike the football players.

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“I want to believe that in the fall, at least as many citizens will gather as those who gathered in the squares and on all sides cheering for our football players. This will be a cheer for their pensions,” said Sever.

President of the Croatian Association of Trade Unions, Miroslav Hrašćanec, emphasized that the second pension pillar must remain. “It is not the 27 percent difference, but we believe that 22 or 23 percent would be some approximation for pensions only from the first pillar,” said Hrašćanec.