In 1999, with the development of democratic processes in the Republic of Croatia, the initiative for a strong trade union that would represent the interests and protect the rights of all employees of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia begun.

Initiated by a group of determined people the Founding Assembly was held in Zagreb on September 13th 2003 - The Independent Workers Union of the Ministry of the Interiors of the Republic of Croatia was established. During the same Founding Assembly the Governing body has been elected, and about two hundred officers from all over Croatia unanimously elected Mr. Zdravko Lončar (employee of the Zagreb police bureau) for its first president.

The Independent Workers Union of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia (NSD MUP-a) is a completely independent organisation that acts in accordance with principles of democratic representation and with utmost respect for human rights.

The union protects the interests of its members through subsidiaries that are present in almost all police bureaus across Croatia.

The union members have the right to be represented in collective bargaining, they also have the right to free legal advice when actualizing or defending all workers’ and social rights.

All important decisions are made by a Central Committee consisting of all representatives from all the bureaus with the Union president at head. The most important body is the Union Assembly that has an obligation to meet every four years.

The Independent Workers Union of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia became known by a series of actions openly defending the workers’ rights which made it a valuable partner to the higher level trade union confederation – Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (NHS).

One of the most important actions that completely justified the existence of the union was the organisation of the first peaceful demonstrations on the St. Marko square in Zagreb on July 19th 2003, bearing the name "Prosvjed čelične tišine" – organised in support of all officers that lost their jobs during the systematization process within the Ministry of the Interior. We also organized the concerts ("Od plavog srca malom srcu") for children of those officers, then the peaceful protests in connection with the changes in the Labour Law which significantly reduced the workers’ rights in Croatia, the first sporting competitions of the Croatian police officers "Šibenik 2003" and many more actions inspired by sickness, death and other misfortunes that struck our colleagues.

With the hard financial situation of our colleagues in mind the Union organized the Mutual Help Savings Plan, and has signed contracts with leading firms in Croatia which gave special shopping discounts to those in need.

Confirming its European orientation and pretension towards close relations with our fellow European police officers whose experience in trade union matters greatly benefited us, NSD MUP-a RH quickly established and developed an active international cooperation and has nowadays developed a partnership with the German Police Union (Dpolg), German Employees Union (DBB) whom we owe our full membership with the Independent Syndicates of the European Union (CESIA).

With increased efficiency in protecting its members in mind the NSD MUP-a RH has professionalized five of its commissioners, fully staffed a legal department including two legal advisors and a secretary, and became (with help from the legal service of the Independent Trade Unions of Croatia) the most organized Union within the boundaries of The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.