Varteks Workers’ Protest in Varaždin

Varaždin, May 10, 2024. – Today, a protest of Varteks workers was organized at Korzo by the Union of Croatian Workers’ Syndicates (URSH). The protest march started at 10 AM from Zagrebačka Street and reached the center of Varaždin around 10:30 AM.

Address by Tomislav Rajković

The president of URSH, Tomislav Rajković, addressed the workers at Korzo with the following words:

“You have become a symbol of the fight for workers’ rights in Croatia. The eyes of the Croatian public are focused on you. A symbol of the fight for workers’ rights, the right to work, the right to the salary you have earned. So far, we have succeeded in part of our demands; the management has announced its departure. A loan is on the table that should secure your salaries and the continuation of production. We will support it if it is fair and sufficient for the first phase. This is not the end; we continue our fight. This is not enough. We demand that all creditors agree and provide part of the funds for Varteks. We demand a new, quality, and qualified management. We demand that the company be restructured in a quality manner so that Varteks never again finds itself in this situation where its future is in question.”

Demands of Workers and Unions

• Payment of overdue salaries and securing the continuation of production,
• new management – quality and qualified,
• restructuring of the company to ensure long-term sustainability,
• agreement of creditors and securing part of the funds for the company’s survival.

Conclusion

With their protest in Varaždin, Varteks workers sent a clear message – the fight for workers’ rights and the company’s survival continues. URSH has announced further support and a demand for serious restructuring to ensure the future of the company and its employees.