A new union has announced its entry into the government.

The New Union has announced its intention to attend a meeting with the Croatian government on Wednesday, July 8th, where they will once again demand compensation for former employees of Plobest in Plače and Revija in Šibenik. These workers have been waiting over 25 years for their wages and severance pay to be settled. The union stated that after multiple unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the government, they decided to formally notify them of their attendance at the meeting. They emphasized that if the government does not respond, this date will be considered accepted.

According to the statement from the New Union, despite numerous meetings with several ministers, during which understanding for the workers' issues was expressed, no solution has yet been offered. The president of the New Union, Mario Iveković, noted that officials often cite complex problems requiring inter-ministerial resolution as a reason for delays. He also pointed out that there appears to be a fear within the government about assisting a large number of deceived workers from various companies across Croatia if help is extended to those from Revija and Plobest.

The union highlighted that the government has made exceptions in cases involving Dalmacijavino and Dalma, justifying these by stating that the insolvency proceedings in those companies are still ongoing. Iveković remarked that if this situation were not so tragic, it would almost be humorous, assessing that the possibility of compensating workers who were deceived 25 to 30 years ago depends on whether the insolvency process in each company has concluded.

The union stressed that resolving the issue of workers from Revija and Plobest, along with many other deceived workers affected by the destruction of companies during and immediately after conversion and privatization, lies in political decisions and the willingness to address the problem. This message was communicated to several ministries including the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and State Property, the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy, the Ministry of Justice, Administration, and Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Croatian Defence.

The New Union's decision to hold a meeting with the government comes amid growing frustration among former employees who feel abandoned by both their former employers and the state. The workers from Plobest and Revija have been awaiting resolution for more than two decades, and their plight has become emblematic of broader systemic failures in handling labor rights and corporate insolvencies.

The union’s approach reflects a shift from repeated appeals to direct engagement with the highest levels of governance. By choosing to appear before the government, the New Union aims to force a response and potentially bring public attention to the unresolved claims. Their strategy includes leveraging media coverage and social networks to amplify their demands and pressure the government into action.

Despite the union's efforts, the government has not yet provided a concrete plan or timeline for addressing the claims. Officials have repeatedly deferred the matter, citing procedural complexities and inter-ministerial coordination. However, the union remains skeptical about these excuses, pointing to the exceptions granted to other companies as evidence of selective treatment.

The situation highlights deeper concerns about accountability and transparency in how the government handles historical labor disputes. Workers and their advocates argue that the lack of resolution stems from a combination of bureaucratic inertia and a reluctance to confront past mismanagement. As the meeting approaches, all eyes are on the government to see whether it will finally take decisive steps to resolve the long-standing grievances of these workers.