About a hundred union members of the 'Matica Hrvatskih Sindikata' trade union federation, gathered in St. Mark's Square on Tuesday in protest of the state budget because it foresees severe cuts in salaries for employees in education, science and health services.
Union leaders said that the budget was "discriminatory" and "criminal" and that it would severely impact education and health systems.
The head of the union federation, Vilim Ribic called MPs "puppets" and "clowns" for raising their hands to approve the budget as it will "strip public servants of their rights".
Ribic accused the government of conducting wrong economic policies and that it would not lead the country out of the crisis.
Zvonimir Laktasic, the teachers' union leader, said that a country that does not invest in education is heading into an abyss.
