Zagreb - Over 20,000 workers from all over Croatia were taking part in protests calling for higher wages in Zagreb Saturday.

Trade unions have called on their members to take part in the demonstration under the banner "together for higher wages."

Despite very heavy rain and low temperatures, the demonstration was the biggest of its kind in over a decade, Croatian HRT television reported.

The trade unions are calling for wage increase in line with the cost of living, which in the last 12 months has increased by 7.6 per cent.

Prime Minister Ivo Sanander has lent his indirect support to the demands. However, he has said that the government was not directly responsible for fulfilling them.

He is in favour of a social dialogue and partnership between workers, companies and the state.

President Stjepan Mesic wanted to join the protest, but the organizers refused, according to media reports.(dpa)