Benetton's Unpaid Workers in Croatia

Benetton likes to present itself as a brand built on colour, diversity and social values. But for a group of workers in Croatia, the reality has been unpaid wages, lost jobs and silence.

In 2024, Benetton shut production in Croatia. More than a year on, Croatian workers from the Leonarda d.d.o factory who made clothes solely for Benetton for decades, still have not received the compensation they are entitled to.

When Benetton decided to exit Croatia, they left subcontractors like Leonarda with no business. As a result of this decision, factories closed down. Now around thirty workers are without jobs and waiting to receive full severance pay in accordance with national legislation. The workers have received just under half of the outstanding amount from a public agency involved in bankruptcy proceedings for the factory. For the remaining amount, the workers now turn to Benetton, the company who profited from their work for decades.

These workers demand justice and they won’t back down. Their demands: that they are paid their full severance pay and the interest accrued, and that Benetton work with local trade unions to protect workers in their supply chains if downsizing happens.  

Novi Sindikat, the union representing the Leonarda workers and CCC have repeatedly contacted the Italian company about this matter, but have not received any response.

Benetton must pay.

Help us push Benetton to take responsibility for its workers, wherever they are in the supply chain. With 917 million euros of revenue in 2024, Benetton can easily make sure this small group of workers gets paid the amount they are owed in compensation. Join us in demanding justice for the unpaid workers of Benetton.