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In Croatia, workers at Jamnica, Zvijezda, and PIK Vrbovec have started a strike due to dissatisfaction with material rights.

The strike began on May 27, 2025, due to dissatisfaction with material rights. The decision to strike was made by the PPDIV Union after more than 80% of members voted in favor of industrial action. It concerns a total of around 2,400 workers, writes index.hr.

The strike was preceded by an unsuccessful attempt at conciliation and unsuccessful negotiations with employers.

The union secured funds from the strike fund, thereby guaranteeing payment to PPDIV members for each day spent on strike. The company managements were informed in a timely manner about the start of the strike and the jobs that must not be interrupted during the strike.

Fortenova: Wage increase from May 2025

Fortenova Group, the owner of the mentioned companies, responded with a statement saying that as of May 1, 2025, the gross wages of employees at Jamnica, Zvijezda, and PIK Vrbovec were increased on average between 10 and 15 percent. They point out that no one in those companies receives the minimum wage anymore, and the increases are the result of the business performance of each individual company.

Fortenova emphasizes that collective agreements remain in force and that no right has been reduced, while some have been additionally strengthened through annexes to employment contracts. According to their claims, the majority of employees supported the increases by signing the annexes, despite the union's opposition.

The company also states that production at Jamnica is proceeding without interruption, while at Zvijezda and PIK Vrbovec a smaller number of workers joined the strike, and part of the production and logistics processes continues to operate.

Fortenova concludes that it believes the measures taken are aimed at improving working conditions and calls for the continuation of dialogue between the employer and employees.

Source: index.hr