Mijić Affair: write-offs and failed submission of the summons

A former member of the Slovenian political party Resni.ca, Boris Mijić, faces ongoing financial disputes tied to his former business, Progros. According to reports, Mijić's personal debts have been partially forgiven, yet he has failed to successfully contact former employees regarding unpaid wages exceeding €41,000. The situation has drawn attention from labor representatives who claim Mijić’s actions reflect broader systemic issues rather than individual negligence. The controversy began with claims made by Zoran Stevanović, the leader of Mijić’s party, who suggested that Mijić was a victim of inherited debts. However, Mijić himself clarified that his financial troubles stemmed from his role as a construction subcontractor, citing difficulties with clients who did not pay their dues. This explanation contrasts sharply with earlier statements by Stevanović, highlighting discrepancies in the narrative surrounding Mijić’s financial status. Investigations into Mijić’s past business activities reveal that Progros, the company he led from 2016 until its bankruptcy filing in January 2020, operated primarily in construction and event management. At the time of its collapse, the firm had accumulated over €382,000 in outstanding claims against the state and the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia. These debts were instrumental in triggering the insolvency proceedings, which were funded by the administration itself. During the insolvency process, the administrator acknowledged that the company’s assets were insufficient to cover even basic administrative costs, let alone repay all creditors. As a result, nearly €355,000 worth of debts were written off. Despite this, Mijić’s personal liabilities remained substantial, including personal loans and unpaid salaries to former employees. Recent developments indicate that Mijić’s financial challenges persist. His company has recently closed its final active bank account, leaving former workers without access to funds owed to them. Attempts to reach Mijić through legal channels, such as via attorney or investigator, have proven unsuccessful. In response, former employees turned to the Labor Advisory Service, where they expressed frustration over Mijić’s failure to address their grievances despite public assurances. Goran Lukić, representing the Labor Advisory Service, stated that Mijić’s behavior exemplifies a larger issue within the system. He emphasized that Mijić is not merely an individual but a symptom of a flawed structure that has persisted for years. “Mijić is the system,” Lukić remarked, adding that the service has raised concerns about similar patterns for decades. Currently, Progros remains on the so-called black list maintained by the Slovenian Employment Agency, restricting its ability to hire foreign workers. Despite repeated inquiries from journalists seeking clarification on the origins of the approximately €400,000 in forgiven debts and why Mijić has not taken responsibility for contacting former employees, neither Mijić nor his father, who took over leadership of Progros recently, responded. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether Mijić will finally fulfill his obligations to former staff or continue to evade accountability. The unresolved nature of these matters underscores the complexities of corporate insolvency and personal liability in Slovenia’s economic landscape.