ZAGREB, March 21, 2020 – The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) requested on Saturday that MPs and other state officials, except Health Minister Vili Beroš, work for a minimum wage for the next three months in solidarity with the many citizens being affected by the coronavirus crisis.
The amount saved should go to businesses so they can keep jobs and pay a minimum wage to those most vulnerable.
“We need every kuna for the socially vulnerable, the sick, the functioning of healthcare and the payment of pensions, for helping the shaken economy,” SDP president Davor Bernardić said.
He proposed that part of the money be allocated as bonuses to doctors, nurses and other hospital staff “who treat citizens from this disease.”
Bernardić said that ten days ago the SDP proposed more rigorous protection measures and presented 15 measures to cushion the fallout on citizens and the economy.
He said that although the government adopted some of those measures, implementation was late. “Citizens and entrepreneurs still don’t know what to do… many people are losing their jobs, incomes for their families.”
Bernardić again warned about those using the crisis to raise the prices of food and medical equipment, appealing to the authorities to immediately start dealing with that.
More coronavirus news can be found in the Politics section.
