Workers of the Croatian shipbuilder Uljanik Group have taken strike action over late payment of their July wages.
Around 4,500 workers of the Uljanik Group, which includes shipbuilding yards 3. maj in Pula and Uljanik in Rijeka, started a general strike in the morning hours of August 22, Al Jazeera Balkans reported.
As informed, they will continue to do so until they are paid up.
With this move, workers are expressing their disappointment with the management of the group which failed to secure funds for July salaries.
Workers control some 47 percent of the Uljanik Group, with the Croatian government and a number of other parties being minority shareholders.
Earlier this year, the state government secured an EUR 96 million loan to help the financially-troubled shipbuilder restructure. However, it is highly unlikely that the government will make the similar move once again due to EU restrictions related to providing financing to private companies.
The restructuring came following the downturn of the global shipbuilding industry coupled with rising competition on the Asian continent.
Uljanik is said to lack available financial means to ensure sustainable operation of its units. Therefore, the shipbuilder needs a long-term solution to stay financially afloat.
World Maritime News Staff