Croatia cannot afford another lockdown that would additionally burden the budget and the economy, Labour Minister Josip Aladrovic warned on Thursday, adding that the time has come to 'separate those who are responsible from those who are irresponsible', but also to find a way to motivate people to get inoculated.

“Croatia has been struggling with the coronavirus pandemic for 16 months now,” Aladrovic said. “It is time to… stimulate responsible employers and workers.”

COVID certificates – third criteria to receive govt support

During talks with unions and employers, the ruling majority proposed that, in addition to a decrease in revenue and the exposure of some sectors, a third criteria should be introduced to receive government COVID support – a COVID certificate, Aladrovic said.

Talks on the issue will continue next week.

“In that way, we will preserve health and protect the economy. We should not neglect the fact that we are reaching the peak of tourism season, which depends on the responsibility of all Croatian citizens, and in particular those working in the service sector, as potentially, does our future and our economy,” he said.

A current issue being discussed with social partners refers to 100,000 workers who are eligible to COVID grants, he added.

In April last year, during the lockdown introduced to stem the spread of the pandemic, as many as 600,000 workers were eligible for support measures.

These are the risks we wish to eliminate in this way, said Aladrovic, adding he was convinced a consensus will be reached with social partners about the grant eligibility criteria and vaccination.