The co-ordinating body of Croatian trade union federations said in a statement on Tuesday that the federations would organise an all-union protest rally in late March or in early April if the government failed to accept demands laid down in the unions' programme for social and economic recovery.

Supporting the recent protest marches in Croatian cities, the co-ordinating body said that concrete requests would be sent to the government at the Economic and Social Council's session, to take place in Zagreb later this week.

Having in mind the ongoing accession negotiations with the European Union, the social stability and the forthcoming tourist season, unions appeal on decision-makers and political protagonists, including the government, the President of the Republic and the Opposition, to reach a consensus on dates of forthcoming events, including a date for parliamentary elections.