Novi sindikat, representing former workers of the Požega based textile factory Orljava, met today in Požega to coordinate further steps in their ongoing fight for unpaid severance pay. The union has sent a formal letter to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, demanding they take responsibility for the remaining debt—five gross salaries totaling 450,000 euros for 172 workers. We have officially requested an urgent meeting with the Government to resolve this critical issue.

In collaboration with the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), an international organization dedicated to workers’ rights in the garment industry, Novi sindikat is preparing a formal complaint against the German company Olymp, which was Orljava’s largest customer. The complaint, based on a failure to comply with OECD guidelines for responsible business conduct, will be submitted to the German and Croatian national contact points of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The Fair Wear Foundation has already confirmed that Olymp should take responsibility. In their July 2022 report, “Checking of the Fashion Brand’s Actions,” they explicitly stated that “Olymp should make every reasonable effort to ensure that workers in Croatia receive severance pay.” (p. 12 of the report available at the link: https://api.fairwear.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/bpc-olymp-bezner-kg-2022a.pdf) ). Despite this, the Government of Croatia continues to avoid its obligations by citing bankruptcy laws that shield owners from their responsibilities toward workers.

Consequently, Novi sindikat has decided to organize a protest in front of the Government building on November 10, 2022. We demand a meeting with the Prime Minister to finalize the payment of the remaining severance pay and ensure justice for the Orljava workers.