Yesterday at 11 a.m., Novi sindikat organized a protest and press conference for Orljava workers. The event was held in cooperation with the Union of Textile, Footwear, Leather, and Rubber Workers of Croatia (TOKG) in the pedestrian zone of Požega. Over 50 former workers gathered, carrying banners with messages such as: “We want our severance pay,” “Government and Olymp, pay the severance,” “We want to work,” and “Olymp must pay the severance” (“Olymp muss die Abfindungen zahlen”).
Tomislav Kiš, General Secretary of Novi sindikat, addressed the media. He stated that the Government and Minister Horvat have failed to find a strategic partner and have broken their promise that the workers would continue their employment at Orljava.
“We hold the state specifically the Government of the Republic of Croatia as the owner of Orljava responsible for the dire financial and personal situations these workers face. The Government has shown a total lack of concern for the fate of 172 employees. We constantly hear talk of potential strategic partners, yet none are in the factory, and it seems none are even in sight,” Kiš said.
Beyond the job losses, the factory itself is deteriorating. Following a recent storm, the roof remains unrepaired because the insurance payout was seized by the bank to settle its own claims.
At last Monday’s Creditors’ Committee meeting, it was confirmed that workers are entitled to eight gross monthly salaries in severance pay. Currently, only three of these payments are guaranteed by the Agency for the Protection of Workers’ Claims (AORT). However, Novi sindikat and the TOKG union are not satisfied; they demand that all eight salaries be paid in full.
“We see two parties responsible for financing these payments. One is the state the irresponsible owner in the form of the Government and Minister Horvat. The other is the German brand Olymp, which has exploited Orljava for over 50 years, only to abandon production and the workers using various excuses,” the unions stated.
Orljava workers received support from the international Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) in Germany, of which Novi sindikat is a member. On Monday, solidarity actions were held in front of Olymp stores in Dortmund, Hanover, and Bielefeld, followed by protests in Dresden and Berlin. Using “call-out” tactics, activists sent powerful messages: “How does Olymp say thanks for 50 years? With layoffs! Severance pay for Orljava workers now!” and “50 years of minimum wage, and now goodbye? Shame on you, Olymp!”
The workers were also supported by MP Martina Vlašić Iljkić, who has been monitoring the situation since day one. Novi sindikat announced that through the Clean Clothes Campaign, pressure on both the Government and Olymp will continue throughout the coming year.
The Government and Olymp must find the funds for the remaining five salaries so that all 172 workers receive their full severance pay. We also call on local city and county authorities to provide support, whether through job placement, retraining programs, or one time financial assistance.
We will continue to gather in front of the Orljava store every month to share information and maintain pressure until full severance pay is secured.
