Zagreb, 4 December 2009 – The Croatian Parliament adopted today the new Labour Code and the Government’s amendment regarding the prohibition of night work for pregnant women unless she requests so by herself or the authorized doctor approves. 79 MPs voted for the new Labour Code, 2 were against and MPs from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Croatian Peoples’ Party (NHS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS) and independent MP Dragutin Lesar left the assembly hall calling the new Labour Code “anti-workers”.

It was a tight vote but the Labour Code is still adopted, said Đuro Popijač, Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship. He hopes that further negotiations on additional amendments to the Code will be in agreement with social partners and he rejected the comment that the Code was forced. Every good suggestion is welcome while I am in the Parliament, he added.

Since the current change of the Code was necessary to close chapters in negotiations with the EU, Popijač said that all proposals made by opposing parties will be the subject to discussions in the next round of amending the Code in order to improve the situation at the labour market.

- I hope we will find approval from employers and trade unions because it is their intention and that we will agree, in peace and good atmosphere, on aims we want to achieve at the labour market – said Popijač. He also announced the establishment of a new social mechanism – a special council composed of trade unions from processing industries, employers, the Government and ministries which will contribute to the promotion of social dialogue in the processing industry. He also announced that the council will be extended to sectoral dialogue, that is, to construction and commerce.  

The new Labour Code is harmonized with EU standards and its adoption should create prerequisites for the closure of 19^th negotiation chapter “Social Policy and Employment”. The new Labour Code defines the longest weekly working time of 40 hours with maximum 8 hours overtime. The annual leave should last at least four weeks (so far it was 18 days).