Orljava factory: German shirt brand Olymp urged to stop wage theft in Croatia
Orljava is a garment factory in eastern Croatia, which produced business shirts for the German high-quality shirt brand Olymp for over 50 years. When Covid-19 hit, Olymp began drastically cutting orders at the Orljava factory, forcing the factory to begin laying off some of its 300 workers. By April of 2021, Olymp - the factory’s largest buyer, representing 80% of production at the factory - stopped making orders altogether. Orljava went bankrupt and laid off the remaining 172 workers.
In March 2023, after 18 months of struggle, including international campaign actions, press conferences, and protests, workers at the Croatian factory Orljava won their fight for severance. 237 former Orljava workers received a total of €491,074.40, more than €2000 per worker, from the Croatian government, which owned the factory. This is a precedent-setting victory, not just for the Orljava workers and their union Novi Sindikat, but for all workers at government-owned factories. In October 2023, former Orljava workers filed a complaint at the German OECD National Contact Point against Olymp, which did not contribute a cent to the compensation, for damage caused by the delayed payment in times of high inflation.
“It is hard to find a job and many of us need to work just a few more years until retirement. What is more important, despite difficult working conditions, we loved our job, and many years ago we were proud of working in Orljava for Olymp. As the biggest and exclusive buyer, we hold you responsible for our low salaries and for closing the company.”
Above: Orljava workers protest at Olymp stores (left and center); German activists take action in solidarity (right)
“How does Olymp say thanks for 50 years of loyalty? Through a dismissal note. Compensation for Orljava employees now!”
Sign held by German activist at Olymp headquarters, pictured left
