(by Stefano Giantin) (ANSA) - BELGRADE, MARCH 28 - Trade unions in several Central- and Eastern European countries are negotiating with governments and have already managed to convince authorities to introduce strong measures to protect jobs and wages during the coronavirus pandemic. However, not all countries in the region have followed the same path, among them Croatia, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) said.

In Austria, authorities and trade unions agreed on a reduced hour work scheme, with lowest paid workers receiving 90%, middle 85% and higher earners will receive 80% of their normal wage, ETUC informed in a briefing. In Romania, workers will continue receiving two-thirds of their normal wage if they cannot work or if they are temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. In Bulgaria, temporary support measures are still being discussed.

Among them, the one that foresees a short-term wage support up to three months that will cover 60% of the employee's salary and social security contributions. Hungary announced a series of economic measures to support businesses, which include the exemption of social contribution for the sectors most affected by the pandemic and the relaxation of labour regulations to facilitate agreements between workers and employers. In Poland, new measures have been adopted at the beginning of March. They foresee that the state will cover 40% of the average salary and the employer has to cover the other minimum 40% in case of a serious crisis, support for independent workers and longer childcare allowance in case schools remain closed. In Slovenia, the government has developed a new temporary lay-off scheme. In case of a temporary lay-off workers will receive 80% of their wage calculated as the average of the last three months, with 60% of wage costs covered by the employer and 40% by the state.

While several countries in the region have introduce support measures for workers, "labour and social rights have been suspended in Croatia, which currently holds the EU Council Presidency - a move the ETUC condemns strongly," the European Trade Union Confederation noted. In a letter to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic signed by ETUC General Secretary Luca Visentini, ETUC claimed that an Act on regulating labour relations in the circumstances of the COVID-19 epidemic is being considered in Croatia without previous consultations with the trade unions. The legislative measures could dramatically impact the rights of workers in Croatia, ETUC claimed. Several countries have also introduced or are considering to adopt tax relief measures, among them Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia and Romania. Moreover, national measures to avoid collective and individual lay-offs, to support laid off workers or employees that need to be absent from work for childcare are being considered or already adopted in parts of Central- and Eastern Europe, including in Latvia, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland and Romania. "Trade unions across Europe are ensuring people don't have to choose between staying safe and paying the bills during the coronavirus crisis," avoiding at the same time "the prospect of another devastating economic crisis on top of this health emergency," ETUC Deputy General Secretary Esther Lynch said.

"Governments yet to take action should follow the example set across Europe and sit down with trade unions agree measures that will protect the livelihoods of workers and public health," Lynch noted. (ANSA).