The Metalworkers' Trade Union
of Croatia – Industrial Trade Union and Đuro Đaković Holding have signed a
Social Agreement following a decision on a capital increase.
With the Agreement the Union
has backed the decision to sell shares and increase the capital, and has agreed
to refrain from industrial action as long as the provisions of the Agreement
are adhered to.
In the Agreement with the
Union the Management Board agreed – in line with the Restructuring Strategy and
Plan – to retain all employed workers required to implement the Strategy; to invest
every effort to see the realisation of the business plan accompanied by the
necessary increase in the number of employees and to wage hikes in line with
the growth of the cost of living as measured by consumer price indicators; and
that it would come to an agreement with the Union on the number of workers
needed to realise the Strategy.
Furthermore, the Management
Board agreed to work continuously towards improving working conditions and to maintain
at least the current level of workers' rights.
"The
purpose of changes in the Đuro Đaković Group is to ensure the sustainability of
business operations, thus preserving the greatest possible number of jobs.
There is no employment and there are no good working conditions without profitable
business operations and, in order to achieve this profitability, we must make
certain changes so as to adapt ourselves to significantly altered market
conditions. In previous years we have introduced smaller and less comprehensive
changes; they, however, have yielded no results. This is why we need to make more
significant changes to our business operations in order to raise our competitiveness
on export markets, which are our only window to additional growth and
development. I am pleased that the union has recognised the importance of
change and that we have signed a Social Agreement. We want to cooperate with
the union and we share their desire to constantly improve working conditions, as
well as to create new jobs as soon as the conditions to do so have been met. But
we need to reorganise the company first and, where possible, decrease the
number of employees. At Đuro Đaković I believe we can set a good example of how
an agreement can be reached based on partnership on some difficult but necessary
measures if they ensure the survival and recovery of the company, and lead to
better conditions and new growth in the near future," said Tomislav Mazal,
President of the Management Board of Đuro Đaković Holding.
"With
the objective of developing social dialogue and partnership between unions and
employers in the Đuro Đaković Group, the Metalworkers' Trade Union of Croatia
has decided to sign this social agreement and, in doing so, send a message to
potential investors that Đuro Đaković is a brand that cares about workers'
rights. The Metalworkers' Trade Union of Croatia – Industrial Trade Union has members
employed by Đuro Đaković Holding and subsidiary companies of the Đuro Đaković
Group. Their mutual goal is to preserve jobs and promote the rights and
interests of both trade union members and all other workers employed by Đuro
Đaković Holding and by members of the Đuro Đaković Group," said Antun
Štivić.