About seventy former Orljava workers gathered yesterday at 11 a.m. in front of the Orljava store in Pozega. The workers have been gathering in front of the store since December 2021 and will continue this activity until they secure the severance pay owed to them by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the German brand Olymp. The gathering was organized by Novi sindikat in cooperation with the Union of Textiles, Shoes, Leather, and Rubber of Croatia.

Tomislav Kiš, the general secretary of Novi sindikat, informed the workers that the joint campaign for severance pay continues in partnership with the international organization Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), which fights for workers’ rights in the textile industry.

For more than 50 years, Orljava workers produced luxury shirts for Olymp. In 2019, Olymp proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of this cooperation, but only a year later, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, they began canceling orders until they completely abandoned production. This led Orljava into bankruptcy, and 172 workers were fired in July last year.

Novi sindikat considers Olymp responsible as the main client with whom Orljava had an exclusivity agreement that prevented working with others. Novi sindikat also holds the Government of the Republic of Croatia responsible as the owner of the factory. Each Orljava worker is entitled to severance pay in the amount of 8 gross salaries, three of which are paid by the Agency for the Insurance of Workers’ Claims. The total outstanding amount is slightly less than 500,000 euros.

New information was published by the Orljava Board of Creditors regarding the company HEMCO d.o.o. from Dakovo. At the beginning of May, this company signed an agreement to lease Orljava’s business premises and equipment, which should employ about forty workers. Representatives of Novi sindikat stated they cannot yet comment on whether this is good or bad news because they lack information regarding the working conditions.

“Someone did something in the ministry – and that’s ok. Why – we don’t know, but we know it’s not enough to sayIt is only important that women work. This is important, but it is also important how much the salary is, whether there will be unpaid overtime work, how many months there will be contracts, whether work will be done on Saturdays…”.

At yesterday’s action it was announced that The international campaign goes on – the current target is actor Gerard Butler, who advertises Olymp’s shirts. Activists of Clean Clothes campaigns are asking him to use his influence and ask Olympus to accept responsibility for the workers.

Also, The workers announced that they will soon come to Zagreb, on Markov square – Since the Government has not responded to any letter from the new trade union so far and there is no reaction regarding severance pay, they believe that they have a lot to tell them.

The fight continues – until the payment of full severance pay to 172 Orljava workers!

Follow the campaign on Facebook or the web of the Novi Sindikat.

Older news:
Textiles from India organized a solidarity campaign with Orljava workers
The Government of the Republic of Croatia forgot to congratulate the women workers on the Day of the Workers of Orljava
Workers of Orljava and on Women’s Day fight for their rights
Continuation of Orljava’s Workers’ Severance Campaign
The Government of the Republic of Croatia and Olymp are responsible for Orljava