Former employees of the Šibenik textile factory Revija are not giving up on their claims for unpaid salaries and severance pay. Representatives of Novi sindikat announced in Šibenik on Tuesday that workers will protest at St. Mark’s Square in Zagreb this September if the Government does not invite them to the requested meeting.

The company’s bankruptcy was officially closed in September 2020, after nearly 20 years of proceedings. However, more than 300 former workers are still seeking unpaid wages and severance pay totaling approximately €1.29 million.

“We do not have an exact date for the protest yet because we are still waiting for Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić to schedule the meeting he promised months ago,” said the president of Novi sindikat, Mario Iveković. He pointed out that experience has shown that “without stronger pressure, the Government will do nothing.” The goal, he added, is not the protest itself, but ensuring the workers receive what they deserve.

“We do not have an exact date for the protest yet because we are still waiting for Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić to schedule the meeting he promised months ago,” said the president of Novi sindikat, Mario Iveković. He pointed out that experience has shown that “without stronger pressure, the Government will do nothing.” The goal, he added, is not the protest itself, but ensuring the workers receive what they deserve.”

“If we do not receive feedback from the Government within the next week, we will organize a protest at St. Mark’s Square and invite workers from other companies in Šibenik and Zagreb to join us,” Iveković stated. He noted that while the Government portrays itself as socially sensitive, it often only resolves cases when workers protest directly in front of the Banski Dvori (Government House).

Illegal Proceedings at the County Court

Representatives of Novi sindikat also warned of “illegal actions” by the County Court in Rijeka regarding a labor dispute involving workers from the Vodice utility company Leć d.o.o. Seven years ago, these workers sued their employer for unpaid overtime, night shifts, and holiday pay.

Although the Municipal Court in Šibenik ruled in favor of the workers three years ago, the defendant appealed to the County Court in Rijeka. According to the union, the court took three years to resolve the appeal, only to return the case to Šibenik two months ago.

“This is another black hole in the justice system. By law, the appeal should have been settled within two to three months. Instead, it took three years just to be sent back,” said Vedran Uranija, legal counsel for Novi sindikat. He added that the union would seek an exemption from the Rijeka County Court due to the excessive delays that fall far outside all legal deadlines.

The article was originally published on 22. 8. 2023. under the title Novi sindikat announces protest of former employees of Šibenik magazine.