Tripartite talks fail

Representatives of the government, trade unions and employers have failed to reach agreement on the draft budget for 2008. The tripartite meeting broke up after both the unions and employers raised serious objections. Trade unions say that the government reform will adversely affect people with a lower income, families with children and pensioners. Employers object mainly to the change in subsidies to firms employing people with a health handicap. The government plans to approve the draft budget on Wednesday. In line with EU recommendations it has been projected with a deficit below 3 percent of the GDP.