Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 310, June 1998

Case No 1938 (Croatia) - Complaint date: 04-SEP-97 - Closed

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 15. The Committee examined this case, concerning allegations of interference in trade union activities and with trade union assets, at its March 1998 meeting (see 309th Report, paras. 161 to 185). The Committee had, inter alia, requested the Government to extend the period of negotiation regarding the division of immovable assets formerly owned by trade unions, if no agreement was reached within six months (the period set out in the Act on Associations). The Committee had asked to be kept informed in this regard.
2. 16. In a communication dated 13 May 1998, the Government stresses that the property at issue is considerable, comprising more than the property owned by the trade unions before the Second World War. The Government also states that while the trade unions have not reached an agreement with respect to the division of trade union assets, the Government has still not proposed to the Parliament the criteria for such division, in an attempt to permit the trade unions to reach an agreement.
3. 17. The Committee notes that the negotiation period has been extended, and recalls that the extension should be such as to ensure that the parties concerned are given a reasonable opportunity to reach an agreement. The Committee repeats its request that the Government determine the criteria for the division of immovable assets formerly owned by the trade unions in consultation with the trade unions concerned should they be unable to reach an agreement among themselves, and fix a clear and reasonable time frame for the completion of the division of the property once the period of negotiation has passed. The Committee also recalls its request that the Government forward to it a copy of the decision of the Constitutional Court as soon as it is handed down. Finally, the Committee again requests to be kept informed regarding all of the above-noted matters.