Worker strike paralyzes Zagreb airport

The workers of Croatia's Zagreb Airport on Thursday night started a strike in protest against the concession agreement between the government and the airport's future operator Zagreb Airport International Co. The 24-hour strike, the first of three rounds aiming to protect their legal rights under the new administration of the airport, paralyzed the air traffic and left thousands of passengers stranded. It is scheduled to end at 12:00 midnight tomorrow, Zagreb Radio reported, noting the airport will remain open for humanitarian and private flights. The workers plan to escalate their drive and open another longer strike unless the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure responds to their demands. Meanwhile, the flag carrier Croatia Airlines said it will move its passengers to other nearby airports due to the strike which incurred heavy losses on the aviation industry. The government has signed an agreement with a French-led consortium on the takeover of the Zagreb Airport but problems with the employees hindered the process as well as the construction of a new terminal.