More than 70 former Orljava workers gathered this morning in front of the Orljava store in Požega. This protest follows an agreement from the December rally organized by Novi sindikat, which marked the beginning of an international campaign to secure severance pay for 172 workers.
As a reminder, the campaign was launched by the Novi Sindikat in cooperation with the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), an international network advocating for garment workers’ rights. During the December rally, the public was informed that CCC activists in Germany were launching a targeted campaign against the German brand, Olymp.
For over 50 years, Orljava workers produced high end shirts exclusively for Olymp. In 2019, Olymp even celebrated this half century of cooperation. However, just a year later, at the start of the pandemic, they began canceling orders until they eventually abandoned production entirely.
This withdrawal forced Orljava into bankruptcy, leading to the dismissal of 172 workers in July last year. Months prior, approximately one hundred workers on fixed term contracts were let go as their contracts were not renewed.
In December, Clean Clothes Campaign activists organized solidarity actions in front of Olymp stores in Dortmund, Hanover, Bielefeld, Dresden, and Berlin. Using “call-out” tactics, they 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 campaign continues, and today, Orljava workers sent their own messages to the brand: “I am a former Orljava worker. I want Olymp to fund our severance pay because we lost our jobs and have no means to live,” and “We produced for Olymp for over 50 years until they abandoned us. We deserve our severance pay.”
As of today, all CCC member organizations and over 250 signatories of the #PayYourWorkers campaign are joining the cause. They will amplify the Orljava workers’ messages across social media, targeting Olymp directly.
Each Orljava worker is entitled to severance pay equal to eight gross monthly salaries. While the Agency for the Insurance of Workers’ Claims (AORT) covers three of these, we hold both the state and Olymp responsible for the remainder. We view the Croatian Government specifically the Ministry led by Minister Horvat as an irresponsible owner. Both the Government and Olymp, as the exclusive customer, are responsible for this crisis. We demand they pay the remaining five salaries to ensure workers receive their full severance.
We have also informed Požega Mayor Željko Glavić, the City Council, and County Prefect Antonija Jozić about the situation. we requested meetings to present our demands: local and regional authorities must support these workers by securing new jobs (e.g., through the “Zaželi” project), providing retraining, or offering one time financial assistance.
The Mayor of Požega has responded, and a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, February 4, at 9 a.m. The campaign for severance pay continues, with the next gathering planned for next month in front of the Orljava store.
The Government of the Republic of Croatia and Olymp should find funds for the remaining five salaries, In order for 172 workers to receive full severance pay!
