Worcon, Croatian Innovation & Personality in the Machine Tool Industry
February 2, 2021 - Croatian entrepreneurial excellence reaches all sectors of the economy. Meet Worcon, shaking things up in the machine tools industry - with a smile.
One of the most interesting and dynamic things happening in Croatia these days is the emergence of an inspiring generation of young entrepreneurial minds who are focusing on developing new tools and products for the global stage. With no time for politics, most have no memory of the Homeland War - indeed many were only born after it finished in 1995. They are firmly focused on their ideas and how to realise them in a fast-moving world of technological development, venture capitalists and AI.
As a journalist, I am coming into more regular contact with these bright minds of the future, and every meeting leaves me a little hopeful about the future, as well as uplifted, despite the gloomy times we find ourselves in. And never was that more true than meeting Worcon CEO Tin Keskic in his office in Varazdin Technology Park recently.
To be honest, I was a little apprehensive before the meeting. I may be a good writer, but how do you make Worcon's key products - a B2B marketplace and project management system for the machining industry - interesting to the average reader?
Simple, it seems. You just have to listen to Tin, whose smile and infectious laugh were constant companions throughout the meeting.
"The idea," he explained, " is just 1-5% of the game. You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you cannot execute it, you have nothing. Let's call the idea X and the execution Y. If your idea is worth 10,000 and your execution is only 1, your business is worth 10,000. And if your idea is poor and only worth 1, but your execution is 10,000, you have the same. Now imagine you have an idea worth 10,000 multiplied by execution of 10,000. X times Y equals 100 million."
It was clear from the opening minutes of our chat that while Worcon's ideas are great, little progress would have been made without the executions - otherwise known as persistence, dedication and diligence.
Tin has worked with his hands all his life. First with his grandfather, who was a carpenter, then with his father working with steel. After studying electronics, robotics and engineering, he was thinking one day about the need for parts and where to find them. Yes, Google has the answer to many questions, but it is a hit and miss process, difficult to find the smaller and more obscure supplier. So he came up with the idea of creating a B2B platform of suppliers.
There was no money to fund the business in the early days, except for his own pay cheque from working with his parents, which he invested in paying his first employee. And he was always late with the payment. There was no budget for advertising, and so a mixture of cold calling and emails (thousands of emails) was the only way forward. He was 21 years old.
Initially, he allowed suppliers to list their services for free, but he soon learned that a free offer was regarded with suspicion, and that suppliers tended to respect sites where they had to pay. After building up a critical mass, he started to do just that, offering a very competitive listing price for suppliers, and a free listing of jobs required by buyers. Starting slowly in Croatia and the surrounding region, the number of suppliers started to grow steadily and become more global. There are now around 1,500 paying suppliers from all over the world.
The concept is simple. A buyer needs a tool or part constructed. They publish drawings, specs and deadlines on the Worcom B2B platform, and the suppliers bid for the job directly with the client (examples from current jobs above). Job quotations typically take less than 24 hours.
Business is extremely good. Two rounds of venture capital funding - an initial 50,000 euro followed by 400,000 euro - have given him the confidence to go forward with his ambitious place. A third round of funding in excess of 1 million euro is expected this year, which will help fund a rapid expansion, including sales offices in Milan and Munich and a total workforce of 20.
With all the cold calling and learning how the industry worked in his native Croatia, Tin was struck by the lack of systemisation many Croatian companies have in their business operations.
"So many companies were running their businesses in Excel, or even 'maybe Excel' (the boss would have everything in his head). One CNC shop with a turnover of 30-50 million and 70 employees is a case in point. They had no software and were doing many of the calculations in their heads. They are losing so much time and money, unable to accurately predict what is necessary to meet deadlines, or the best time of year to buy supplies - the price of steel varies a lot according to time of year, for example."
So Worcon came up with a project management system for CNC shop floors called MachineDesk, which is about to hit the market. MachineDesk helps the client every step of the way, from materials ordering and price tracking, to preparation time and hours needed. The project and deadline are entered into the system, after which calculations on how much time and materials are needed, pressure points on additional labour, automatic ordering of parts, and tracking of commodity prices. Workers will have tablets and can track the price of, for example, steel, which has widely different pricing in March and September. This is where companies are losing big money.
The software can tell the client with 99.9% accuracy how much he will need, including time calculations for things such as going to the warehouse, taking measurements etc - this time is not usually factored in. Everything is based on corrections, so if a 1,000-hour job needs 150 hours more, it will be even more precise next time.
One of the key benefits of Machine Desk is accountability, and the ability of client and supplier being able to track progress in real time. There is a lot of theft of materials in the workplace, for example, and Croatia is no different to other countries in that. The system tracks each item, and if something is reported broken, the physical presentation of the broken item will account for that.
With multi-warehouse options and full tracking, a German client using a Croatian supplier will be able to track progress of the order, including how many units were produced in a certain location on any one day. This should encourage efficiency and the meeting of deadlines, as well as giving the client a lot more security and peace of mind. An array of charts and spreadsheets are also available to show progress, useful for boardroom presentations.
And while Machine Desk is 99% the focus right now, there are already exciting plans afoot for expanding the Worcon portfolio.
"We are working with AI to read 3D models, if we succeed, we will revolutionise the industry. You will know your margins, we have AI, focused on prototypes and on companies who need something fast and now. We can sell this AI tech to bigger companies, getting smarter every day, and it will help them with their calculations."
The biggest success so far? Getting those two rounds of funding. When the first 50,000 euro came in in June 2019, there were very close to the edge, able to continue for perhaps 2-3 months more ("Imagine what it was like to suddenly then get 50,000 euro when you have been living off nothing."). He was just 24 when the second round of 400k came in last year.
And the biggest disappointments?
"Haha, after promising my parents that we had a unique concept which was going to conquer the world, I then found that there was some strong competition in the United States. That was a setback, but we overcome it. And also, perhaps, the numerous fake investors here in Croatia, promising lots and delivering nothing. Thankfully, we found two great investors, and things are now going really well."
Advice for new Croatian startups?
"Just start. And do not be afraid to ask for help. Or money. If you can't do that, you are not in the game. Remember that the idea is only 1-5%, and X times Y can equal 100 million. You have to be persistent.
"I am happy to help other startups, and I am glad that two have managed to get initial funding through my help. I also coach several startups on their pitch deck, which is a crucial aspect of fundraising."
Looking back at when you started, would you be happy to be in the position you are in now?
"Haha, I should show you the spreadsheets and revenue projections and where I thought we would be. The Porsche was parked in the drive, haha. But yes, I am very happy. We have great products, great investors and an unbelievable team. I am glad that I had to struggle to get this far, rather than being given a million by a rich father. It makes you hungrier."
"Where will I be in 5 years? Exited from Worcon is the plan, and working on some new startups. With the knowledge I have gained and the people I work with, it will be so much easier next time, and there are SO many great ideas."
And I, for one, would be VERY interested to learn more about those startups.
A fabulous Croatian startup with an even better attitude. One of the most pleasant interviews I have had in some time.
You can learn more about Worcon on the official website.
For the new MachineDesk platform, click here.
Worcon has also launched its own industry portal and printed magazine under the name Manufacturing Bay, see above.
For more stories of Croatian excellence and innovation, check out the TCN Made in Croatia section.
World Handball Championship: Croatia Defeats Qatar (26:24)
January 19, 2021 - In the final match of Group C, Croatia defeats Qatar (26:24) and takes first place in Group C!
Croatia and Qatar met in the last game of Group C at the World Handball Championship in Egypt. Croatia and Qatar had played only one official match before tonight's duel, and Qatar celebrated sensationally with seven points at the opening of the Olympic Games four years ago.
Both national teams had already secured a spot in the next round.
Croatia v. Qatar Recap
Mamic scored the first goal of the game for 1:0 Croatia. Pesic made a great save to keep Croatia ahead after Qatar's first attack.
Duvnjak scored for 2:0 just under 3 minutes into the game. Qatar scored their first goal seconds later - 2:1.
Maric made it 3:1 for Croatia in the 6th minute, and again in the 8th minute for 4:2.
Strlek scored for 5:3 in the 9th minute and again for 6:3 in the 11th.
Strlek scored his third goal to make it 7:5 three minutes later.
Mamic scored his second goal of the game for 8:6 in the 15th. 34-year-old Cupic scored for 9:7 in the 16th.
Qatar scored their second 7-meter throw for 9:8. Croatia's star goalkeeper Marin Sego made his debut at the 2021 World Champs in the 19th minute. Recall, Sego was recovering from an injury and missed Croatia's first two matches against Japan and Angola.
Qatar received their third 7-meter throw in the 21st minute, which Sego brilliantly saved to keep the game 9:8.
Mamic put Croatia back to +2 for 10:8 in the 21st.
Croatia certainly welcomed Sego's return, as he saved yet another 7-meter throw for Qatar in the 22nd minute!
Martinovic scored for 11:10 with four minutes to go in the first half. Qatar equalized for 11:11 seconds later.
Sego remained stellar in goal, saving yet another 7-meter throw in the 28th minute! Mamic put Croatia back in the lead at 12:11 with less than two minutes to go.
Martinovic scored with 3 seconds to go for 13:11 at the half.
Qatar opened the second half with a goal for 13:12 in the 30th minute. Croatia received a 7-meter throw in the 31st minute - Cupic scored for 14:12.
Maric increased Croatia's lead to +3 - their biggest lead of the game yet. It was 15:12 in the 34th minute.
Musa scored for 16:14 in the 36th minute.
A fake by Mamic resulted in yet another goal for the 26-year-old - 17:14 for Croatia.
Croatia's oldest player at the World Champs, Zlatko Horvat, scored his first goal of the game for 18:15. Maric scored for +3 in the 42nd minute - 19:16. Horvat scored a crucial lob for Croatia three minutes later - 20:18.
Martinovic found the back of the net for 21:19 in the 47th minute. Strlek scored for 22:19 with 12 minutes to go.
The flawless Marin Sego saved 4/4 7-meter throws to keep Croatia ahead. Maric brought Croatia back to +3 with 10 minutes left. Strlek scored again for 24:22 with seven minutes to go.
Horvat made it 25:23 in the 54th minute. Strlek scored on an empty goal with five minutes to go for 26:23!
Cervar called a timeout with two minutes to go.
Croatia was given a 7-meter throw with less than 30 seconds to go - Strlek missed to keep the game 26:23.
The game ended 26:24 for Croatia! Maric was named the player of the match.
Unfortunately, Japan defeated Angola (30:29) in the earlier Group C game and transferred the point won against Croatia to the second round. This means that Croatia could not transfer all four points to the continuation of the competition, even by beating Qatar. Croatia thus carries three points to the second round, Qatar two points thanks to the victory against Japan, and Japan one point.
It is already known that Argentina and Denmark from Group D await Croatia and Qatar in the main round, while the third rival will be known after the match between Bahrain and Congo.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
Plenković: Less than 2% of Houses Reconstructed after War Not Fit for Use after Quake
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Tuesday that less than two percent of houses reconstructed in Sisak-Moslavina County after the Homeland War have been found unfit to live in following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on 29 December.
Organised post-war reconstruction in Sisak-Moslavina County referred to 5,880 houses belonging in the categories IV to VI (most extensive damage) and 3,761 of them have now been inspected and of that number, 69 or 1.83% have been declared unfit for use while 175 are temporarily unfit for use, the PM said during Question Time in parliament, in response to criticism by MP Dalija Orešković (Centre Party).
"You were among the first crying out for an inquiry commission that was supposed to identify HDZ as the main culprit for all the wrongdoing in post-war reconstruction," Plenković told Orešković who 'admitted' that he was not personally responsible for the reinforcements and steel 'that were stolen', but called him out for being personally responsible for undermining the independence of state institutions during his term in office.
Give me one example, he retorted, recalling that the prosecutorial authorities had launched an investigation into HDZ state-secretary Josipa Rimac just one month ahead of the parliamentary election, and after the elections into the head of a public company and two MPs. "Has anyone told institutions - in the case of (Požega mayor and HDZ MP Darko) Puljašić and (Sisak-Moslavina County) prefect Žinić, don't meddle in that?", Plenković told Orešković.
No one is untouchable
"Anyone for whom that is still not clear must be told that no one is untouchable and that is why your political theories... don't hold water," said Plenković.
The prime minister answered negatively when asked by MP Tomislav Tomašević (We Can!) if he believes that Croatia belongs to the HDZ or that people who oppose the HDZ are against the state.
"Of course we don't think that. Do we believe that our political opponents are destroying the state - no, but we are here to prevent the destruction of state institutions," said Plenković, citing in that context the attitude towards the Red Cross.
"Is it normal to have a slur campaign against the Red Cross, I don't think it is, I opposed it and will continue to oppose it," Plenković said.
Opposition MPs Say Sisak-Moslavina County Head Must Step Down
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - Parliamentary opposition parties on Tuesday criticised HDZ's position on a property scandal involving Sisak-Moslavina County head and HDZ member Ivo Žinić, saying that he should step down and be called to account while criticising PM Andrej Plenković for not having reacted sooner to the case.
Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Peđa Grbin said that two years ago Žinić "had police sent to newspaper offices, a year ago he organised a party amid coronavirus restrictions, and now we see that during his whole political career he has used his position to secure gain for himself and his family to which they have no right. There is at least one category in the Penal Code that defines his conduct," Grbin told reporters.
He said media reports about the case should prompt prosecutorial authorities to action and if they failed to act, it would again be proof that they were under HDZ's influence and were activated only when it suited the ruling party.
"Unlike PM Plenković, I don't see any media hysteria in Žinić's case, I see a man who acquired a property under a law that at the time was still not in force, referring to property located in what was an occupied area at that time," said Grbin.
As for PM Plenković's claims that he was cleaning up in his own party, Grbin mentioned former HDZ officials such as Lovro Kuščević, Božidar Kalmeta, Darko Puljašić and Dražen Barišić who had been involved in scandals and who still held posts in the party.
MP Sandra Benčić of the Green-Left Bloc said that she did not see the Žinić case as a case of media hysteria but as a classic, major HDZ scandal proving that Žinić was an authentic representative of the HDZ's policy.
"He has a salary of HRK 17,000 and has lived in a not so small state-owned house without paying any rent. And when you hear about the way (his family) treated the former owners, I think it is clear what kind of a person he is," Benčić said in reference to media reports that the house in question had been owned by a Serb family from Glina that fled the area before the 1995 Operation Storm and from whom the state bought the house.
Benčić expressed doubt that the HDZ leadership had not known that Žinić had been living in a state-owned house without paying rent, adding that he should at least step down as should all those who had made that possible for him.
MOST MP Nikola Grmoja said that he had the impression that somebody was leaking documents in this case.
"Žinić has become a burden for the HDZ and a scapegoat is being sought to answer for all the sins," Grmoja said, noting that members of the Sisak-Moslavina County Assembly had warned that they were not allowed to ask Žinić questions at assembly sessions.
"Neither Plenković nor anyone else reacted to that but more information will be revealed about Žinić, especially if they have decided to get rid of him. Maybe he stays, but in that case I hope citizens will replace him in the election," said Grmoja.
Stephen Bartulica of the Homeland Movement said he did not think media were giving undue attention to the case either, noting that it showed that Croatians were not equal before the law.
"I wonder at the extent to which the authorities justify certain actions while at the same time they call out everyone who dares criticise something, including the media whose job it is to investigate cases like this," said Bartulica.
For the latest on Croatian politics, follow the dedicated TCN section.
HALMED: 139 Reports of Suspected Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccine Received So Far
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - The Croatian Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (HALMED) has so far received 139 reports of suspected side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, it said on its website.
The agency has so far studied 116 of the reports, finding 20 percent of them to be serious and 80 percent non-serious.
The most frequent side effects reported included local reactions, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, a headache, an elevated body temperature, feeling weak and tired, shaking chills and nausea.
These are expected side effects and are similar to side effects of other vaccines. They are slight to moderate in intensity and they wear off spontaneously over a period of several days or after the use of symptomatic therapy such as cold compresses, fever-reducing medications and painkillers, HALMED said.
The agency said it had not received any reports of suspected side effects with a fatal outcome.
For the latest news on coronavirus in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.
For the latest travel info, bookmark our main travel info article, which is updated daily.
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My Dubrovnik Game: Would YOU Be a Good Mayor of Kings Landing?
January 19, 2021 - Are you a frustrated local or complaining tourist and think you could do a better job running a city? Now is your chance, with you as the mayor in My Dubrovnik Game.
A nice little addition to the Dubrovnik tourism offer is coming to IoS and Android platforms next months, as modern technology meets historical Dubrovnik figures and modern local politics, with an innovative way for people to learn about the Pearl of the Adriatic - as Mayor of the city.
My Dubrovnik Game is the brainchild of local lawyer, Viktorija Knezevic, which offers you the chance to show you have the skills necessary to run the city and balance the needs and desires of local people and tourists alike in your new role of Mayor of Dubrovnik.
Rather than let me explain it all, check out the intro video above and the press release below. It looks like a great idea, as well as an innovative way to bring the city's heritage closer to the younger gadget generation.
My Dubrovnik Game launching soon
If you’ve ever been a citizen in a tourist city, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. Tourists can be annoying, citizens like to complain and the city managers never do anything right.
Think you can do better? Well here’s your chance.
My Dubrovnik is an exciting new simulation game where you have to make the decisions that keep your residents happy and your tourists satisfied.
The game recreates the beautiful city of Dubrovnik in spectacular detail and puts you right in the center of the action as mayor, with realistic challenges as you move through the game.
But the developers have taken the detail to a whole new level with enchanting historical stories hidden within the game.
Did you know that the people of Dubrovnik kept gunpowder in the Rector’s Palace because in the Middle Ages it was a commodity as valuable as gold? After it exploded for the third time, they thought better of the idea!
These nuggets of historical gold are hidden around the game for you to discover.
With stunning 3D modeling, you’ll feel like you are running a living, breathing city but as with every city there are challenges to complete, citizens to please and tourists to attract.
As you move through the levels, you’ll find out more about the rich history of Dubrovnik as you balance the interests of the people with the prosperity of the city.
If you have ever been to Dubrovnik and loved it, or have always wanted to visit, the My Dubrovnik game will give you an incredible tour of the city. Next time you visit the real city, you'll be able to navigate Dubrovnik like a local.
Uncover a history you never knew about as you complete the challenges and discover the city.
My Dubrovnik is a simulation game with very special gameplay. Are you ready to take on this historical city and lead it to success?
My Dubrovnik Game will be launched next month, and you can learn more about the game and the launch details on the official My Dubrovnik Game website.
For the latest from Dubrovnik, check out the dedicated TCN section.
Sky's the Limit! Visnjan Observatory Crowdfunding Campaign A Success!
January 18, 2021 – The Visnjan Observatory Crowdfunding Campaign has been successfully completed. With 1.300.000 kuna collected, new generations of future Croatian scientists will get a new geodesic dome, accommodation facilities, and a location for testing robotic telescopes.
One of the most prominent Croatian organizations that have been educating future Croatian scientists for several decades will soon be adorned with new equipment and accommodation facilities for many students who have been coming to Višnjan for years to learn about astronomy.
Monitoring and detecting asteroids, but also educating future scientists
The Višnjan Observatory has been at the very top of the world for more than 40 years when it comes to tracking and detecting asteroids, these potentially hazardous and mysterious celestial bodies. According to that, this small observatory in the heart of Istria is ahead of the American NASA. It is one of the five most important observatories for measuring the position of newly discovered objects that could pass close to the Earth.
Its founder, award-winning Croatian astronomer Korado Korlević, is one of the most successful asteroid hunters globally and, according to Minor Planet Discoverers, is the 18th most productive asteroid hunter of all time.
Višnjan Observatory / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić
Between 1995 and 2000, the Observatory discovered over 1,400 new asteroids and two comets. Monitoring and detection of asteroids is undoubtedly an important scientific activity of the Observatory, but perhaps even more important and invaluable for Croatia is the educational function of the Observatory.
The Višnjan Observatory hosts many highly motivated and gifted primary and secondary school students in its practical science camps every year. Some of the former attendees are now scientists at NASA, JPL, and other world-renowned scientific institutions, and some of them are yet to become so.
'Investing in children is the largest and only profitable investment'
In early December last year, TCN reported on a crowdfunding campaign launched to improve the educational capacity of the Visnjan Observatory. Already then, at the very beginning of the campaign, they raised 50 percent of the targeted funds, or 306,000 kuna (the first goal was to raise 635,000 kuna). This enabled them to ensure a beautiful geodesic dome, resembling a habitat on Mars, in which lectures will be held.
Aco Momčilović, the campaign's project manager, says the speed of collecting the donations somewhat surprised the team. However, given the very positive feedback from all who donated, they decided to raise the ultimate goal.
Višnjan Observatory / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić
As they soon achieved the first goal, they continued to increase it over the next month. At the end of the campaign, on January 15, 2021, they collected as much as 1,300,000 kuna, or almost ten percent more than the ultimate goal of 1,185,000 kuna.
This now enables them to build bungalows, accommodation facilities for children, but also their professors, mentors, and other supporters. Since the educational camps last for several days, the Višnjan Observatory wants to make everyone feel comfortable during that time.
With the donations received, Korado Korlević plans to establish a location for testing robotic telescopes and additional accommodation facilities for students. Investing in children, he says, is the largest and only profitable investment.
Construction of new facilities expected this year
Even after the campaign officially ended, people still donate money, which is an excellent indicator of the Višnjan Observatory's influence, as well as the respect for Korado Korlević's hard and dedicated work.
"I also see this campaign as a mini-movement, an initiative that unites different segments of society – entrepreneurs and their companies, scientists in Croatia and abroad. I already know that this action has encouraged some to launch similar campaigns aimed at improving education for young people and promoting science and other long-term most valuable aspects of society," says Momčilović.
Now follows the less visible but even longer part of the job – completing the administration and transferring money, and then launching and achieving the listed goals.
Hopefully, part of the necessary bureaucracy for construction works will be completed by the middle of this year so that the construction of new facilities could start as soon as possible. Depending on the suppliers, the construction works should begin within six months.
Apart from being known for the Observatory, the small town of Visnjan is rich in historical heritage / Photo: Istrian County Tourist Board
Biggest donators to enjoy gala dinner with Korado Korlević
At the start of the campaign, no one could have predicted that numerous donations would have to be targeted at the quake-hit area by the end of December. Despite that, the desired amount of 1,185,000 kuna was successfully collected for the educational purposes of the Višnjan Observatory.
Organizers believed that support for science would not lack even in the challenging 2020, when science, critical thinking, and the knowledge of future generations are particularly under attack.
"December was an interesting choice. We couldn't do the campaign earlier because not everything was ready. In late December and early January, most of the donations were certainly diverted to earthquake-hit areas. Still, it was interesting to see that we continued to receive donations and that some people obviously donate in more places or still see educational projects as a goal," says Momčilović.
In those six weeks, how long the campaign lasted, about 2500 people donated funds, proving how many people are willing to support science and youth education. To thank the donors, the organizers decided to provide them with "rewards."
Namely, the most generous donors will enjoy a gala dinner with Korado Korlević this year. In contrast, others will be able to participate in his exclusive lectures in the inspiring environment of the Višnjan Observatory, where they will look through telescopes and learn about observing the night sky in Istria in search of asteroids. Some will meet Korlević and ask everything about the universe through the online webinar "Ask the Astronomer," planned for the first half of 2021.
All donors had the opportunity to make electronic thank you notes. A plaque with all major donors' names will be printed in Višnjan on the new facilities' opening day in late 2021 or 2022.
Višnjan Observatory / Copyright Romulić and Stojčić
After this campaign, they want to realize another technological improvement in the Višnjan Observatory, but they still have time to decide on a new campaign.
'The smarter the children, the more society progresses'
As Momčilović explains, this campaign is unique because it does not solve one individual problem at a time but invests in the long-term improvement of children's educational opportunities.
Unfortunately, there will always be a need for humanitarian actions, but he and the core team got involved in this action because they believe that in this way, they support the broader system.
"The smarter and more educated children we have, the more society progresses. With this campaign, we did not aim to solve one of the many burning problems, especially in this post-earthquake time, but to create a part of the system that will give the greatest return on investment in the long run," Momčilović points out.
Unfortunately, most of the donation resources are spent inefficiently, and only about 1 percent of the 'smartest' donations make up almost the entire total global contribution. Therefore, Momčilović says, perhaps the Višnjan Observatory crowdfunding campaign is "the beginning of a smarter and more thoughtful view of humanitarian work."
Plenković: Nobody is Untouchable When It Comes to Corruption
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said during Question Time in parliament on Tuesday that no one was untouchable when it came to corruption.
"No one is untouchable, everyone should know this," said Plenkovic responding to a question from MP Ivana Posavec Krivec (SDP) who called out the HDZ for corruption in Zagreb County.
Posavec Krivec recalled Plenković's recent claim that he has a "fine-tuned radar" and reminded him of the case where a renowned HDZ member went under the radar similar to the latest case with Sisak-Moslavina County Prefect Ivo Žinić.
"Now Žinić is passing under your radar too. Even though he earns HRK 18,000 a month and owns four properties, he lives in a state-owned property for HRK 100 a month. All that says is that you do not have a fine-tuned radar or that you are introducing the practice of recommending HDZ members to responsible positions even though they are prone to unlawful acts and corruption," Posavec Krivec claimed.
MP Rada Borić (New Left) asked how it was possible that the government had not exempted charity organisations from VAT. "Which is why we could have had five containers installed instead of four," said Borić.
Plenković said that he had asked the finance minister to see what could be done in that regard, recalling that for some other humanitarian actions the government had refunded the VAT charged.
He thanked all volunteers who helped the earthquake-hit areas. "That social solidarity is positive for the atmosphere in society and we appreciate that," he underscored.
MP Nikola Grmoja (Bridge) concluded that Plenković had not answered a single question from the opposition but had come prepared in advance for questions from his party. Grmoja warned of the issue of debt enforcement actions in earthquake areas asking why the government had not regulated that by law.
"We reacted immediately for activities related to enforcement in that area to stop, hence accusing us of being insensitive and that we do not have any empathy is not true," Plenković said, denying that his party colleagues had come with prepared questions.
Answering a question from MP Marijan Pavliček (HKS) who protested against monuments commemorating Chetnik occupiers, Plenković told him that he still had a lot to learn about Croatian sovereignty and about Croatia in 2020 and 2021. "You've missed several decades as far as general activities you are involved with are concerned," retorted Plenković.
For the latest in Croatian politics, follow the dedicated TCN section.
Average November Take-home Pay in Croatia HRK 6,863
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - The average monthly net wage in Croatia in November 2020 amounted to HRK 6,863, which is a 1.9% increase in real terms on the year, the State Bureau of Statistics (DZS) reported on Tuesday.
In nominal terms, the average net pay for November 2020 increased by 1.6% from October 2020 and by 3.2% compared to November 2019.
The highest average net pay for November was in the exploitation of crude oil and natural gas sector, amounting to HRK 10,964, while the lowest was in security and investigation activities, HRK 4,368.
The median net wage for November was HRK 5,799, which means that half the employed had a wage below that amount and the other half a wage above that amount.
Average gross wage in November HRK 9,386
The average gross wage in November amounted to HRK 9,386, an increase of 2.1% in nominal terms and of 2.4% in real terms on the month.
Compared to November 2019, the average gross wage increased by 3% in nominal terms and by 3.2% in real terms.
The average hourly net pay in November was HRK 40.29, an increase of 6.4% compared to October and of 3.5% compared to November 2019.
The average hourly gross pay in November was HRK 55.10, up by 7% on the month and by 3.3% on the year.
Nearly 45,000 Buildings in Sisak-Moslavina County Reported Damaged in Earthquake
ZAGREB, 19 January, 2021 - Nearly 45,000 buildings in Sisak-Moslavina County have been reported damaged in the 6.2 earthquake that struck on 29 December 2020, compared with 26,000 buildings reported damaged after the 5.5 earthquake hit Zagreb on 22 March 2020, Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milošević told parliament on Tuesday.
The 29 December earthquake claimed seven lives and caused extensive property damage in Glina, Petrinja, Sisak and surrounding communities.
About 400 people left homeless have been placed in collective accommodation in the army barracks in Petrinja and the Topusko spa, and about 114 have so far been accommodated in houses and apartments made available by the State Office for Reconstruction. Five hundred mobile homes have been set up, while the exact number of those provided through private donations is not known, Milošević said in response to an appeal by Dragana Jeckov of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS) to speed up the accommodation and reconstruction processes.
Milošević said that over 300 structural engineers were at the scene working round the clock, that the Red Cross had distributed 467 tonnes of food and over 240,000 hot meals, and that the post-earthquake reconstruction bill was in parliament 20 days after the disaster.
"Tomorrow we will discuss amendments to the Reconstruction Act. We are ready to help the residents of Sisak as much as we can, we don't want them to feel discriminated against," Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said after Social Democrat Peđa Grbin asked whether the government decision to fully finance the reconstruction of the affected areas would also apply to Sisak.
"The earthquake has devastated Sisak to such an extent that the development criterion does not apply," the prime minister said, recalling that Sisak-Moslavina County was an assisted area, while Sisak proper was not, given its development index.
Grbin noted that the prime minister had not specified whether earthquake victims in Zagreb, who are currently living in housing containers, would have their utility bills covered by the government in the same way earthquake victims in Sisak-Moslavina County would.
Speaking of vaccination against COVID-19, Plenković said that any surplus doses would be donated to "our friendly countries", to which Marija Selak Raspudić of the Bridge party quipped: "It would be more useful for you to have a plan rather than think about surpluses that you would donate."
