Croatians plan to skip work for World Cup-poll

ZAGREB, May 24: Almost half of Croatia's workforce plan to take time off during the World Cup next month, according to a poll today.

''Some 15 percent of employed Croats plan to fake illness during the World Cup while 27 percent of them will take leave so they can freely enjoy the soccer,'' said a local web-based employment agency, www.posao.hr, which organised the poll.

The survey, conducted between April 25 and May 5, covered 1,074 people, mostly aged between 18 and 39. Some 60 percent of those polled were men.

A third of those surveyed said the World Cup would negatively affect their productivity.

Local media reported on Wednesday that some 20,000 Croats plan to travel to Berlin to watch Croatia's opening game against Brazil on June 13.

Croatia are in Group F which also includes Japan and Australia.

Reuters