Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor on Friday visited former employees of the Djakovstina flour factory who have been protesting outside their old place of work for the 11th consecutive day, demanding that the government pay 26 million kuna for severance packages for the 350 workers of the bankrupt flour factory based in the eastern town of Djakovo.
Kosor told the workers that a solution to their problem had been found and that their severance package would be paid out from budgetary reserves.
"The government will hold a session on Tuesday and adopt a decision on the payment of your claims, taking over your claims in Djakostina, and workers will be paid from budgetary reserves," she added.
This will be more than 26 million, as we are talking about net and gross amounts," Kosor said, adding it was exceptionally difficult to find a solution. She added that negotiations were already underway with the trustee in bankruptcy how to realise the payment and that each worker would sign a separate document. Immediately after the signing the funds will be transferred to the workers' accounts, Kosor said.
Kosor said the government and she personally understood the problems of the former Djakovstina workers, expressing satisfaction that the solution had been found.
Asked about the sudden change of heart in this case, given that the agriculture minister last week claimed there were no legal grounds to pay out the former Djakovstina workers, Kosor said this was not about the sudden change of heart, but about the fact that they were searching for a solution.
Kosor called on the workers to cease the protest and return to their homes.
"There is no reason for you to harm your health. I gave you my word and I will keep it together with my colleagues," Kosor told the workers.
She was accompanied by ministers Petar Cobankovic, Djuro Popijac, Branko Bacic and Jasen Mesic.
After several disagreements in the beginning, the workers decided to stop protesting.
