If trade union federations on Wednesday accept the draft agreement, the GSV can resume working by the end of this week or the beginning of the next, said Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Bozidar Kalmeta.

Trade unions treat as a top priority a debate on changes to the Pension Insurance Act which have been sent to parliament for consideration without the social partners having stated their position on them, and trade unions have major objections to that bill, union coordinator Ozren Matijasevic said.

Employers' Association (HUP) acting director Bernard Jakelic said that a general reconciliation was under way between the employers, the trade unions and the government.

He expressed hope that now negotiations would be launched on amendments to the Labour Act and the Pension Insurance Act.

Union leaders and HUP representatives also commented on Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's statement that she would defend citizens' living standards and that no one was a bigger unionist in that than she.

Matijasevic said, "Unfortunately, the real life contradicts that statement." Unions want the government to make concrete moves to reduce unemployment, improve living standards and reduce the foreign debt, he said.

Jakelic said Kosor's message was a good one because social sensitivity was always good, but noted that given the current situation, it would be good if she had also declared herself the biggest employer of all.