ZAGREB, 4 May (Hina) - Around 30,000 University of Zagreb students form a significant part of Croatia’s tourism workforce, while school leavers can already work over the summer via the Student Service before starting university, Zagreb Student Centre (SC) director Mario Župan told Hina in an interview.

After completing secondary school and passing final exams, school leavers can register with the Student Service and work until 1 October. Last summer about 3,800 did so. Students and school leavers are employed under regulated hourly rates, with job offers published online, Župan said.

The SC cooperates with about 12,500 employers and provides work for some 44,000 students, many of whom take summer jobs in tourism, hospitality, retail, IT and other sectors. The minimum hourly rate is €6.56, typically around €7 and rising to €11-12 depending on the job, with higher pay for night, Sunday and holiday work.

Student wages have risen sharply from about €2.30 per hour in 2018, while subsidised meals remain at €0.86. Dormitory accommodation costs €40-110 per month, and summer accommodation in Zagreb is available for €180. Students can often cover food and housing costs with a weekend’s work and earn €3,000 to €6,000 over the summer, Župan said.

Student earnings are tax-free up to €12,000 annually, or €3,600 if claimed as a dependent. The SC also protects students’ rights, ensuring payment, taking legal action against non-paying employers and responding to workplace bullying or other violations.

Župan added that employers often prefer students to foreign workers due to language skills and adaptability, while also viewing them as potential future employees.