Labour unions have over 700,000 signatures

Five union headquarters managed to collect 720,078 signatures calling for a referendum on labour law reforms, the organizers announced today (Thu).

They expect the number to continue to grow as not all signatures have been counted.

The deadline for turning in the signatures was midnight yesterday. The required number of signature for calling a referendum was 10 per cent of voters, or 449,506 which the organizers surpassed.

After their victory, the union leaders announced that they are no longer interested in government suggestions for labour law amendments, but that they are ready to negotiate about their proposals.

According to the unions, the government's amendments could destroy the system of collective agreements, the Croatian portal Business writes.

According to the procedure, the Parliament can ask the Constitutional Court for a review within 30 days of receiving the request for a referendum. Parliament announces the call for the referendum which must take place on a minimum of 20 days and no later than 40 days after the call has been made.