A deeply troubling case of labor rights violations is unfolding on the Danube River in Novi Sad, Serbia. Six Ukrainian crew members remain stranded aboard four inland vessels, reportedly without wages, employment contracts, or adequate living conditions for over a year.
Based on information received from workers and local union representatives, each crew member is allegedly owed between €6,000 and €15,000 – with total unpaid wages estimated to exceed €100,000. These experienced professionals, all with valid river navigation certificates, are said to be living in unsafe, undignified conditions, without access to their legal rights or protections.
The vessels in question – Zweistein (Slovak flag), Magellan (German flag), Brčko 1 (Bosnia and Herzegovina flag), and Steigerwald (Slovak flag) – are operated by DMP TIM d.o.o., a company registered in Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The company has so far failed to provide any employment contracts or payments to the workers, according to the reports we have received. Attempts to resolve the situation through dialogue have reportedly been unsuccessful.
As the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), representing over 5 million transport workers across Europe, we call on the responsible company and authorities in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Germany, Ukraine, and relevant EU bodies to take immediate and coordinated action to resolve this case.
Our demands:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding wages
- Provision of valid employment contracts to all affected crew
- Access to safe accommodation and humanitarian support
- Full protection for union representatives supporting the crew on the ground
We stand firmly with our affiliates and colleagues at the Granski sindikat lađara i pomoraca Srbije, who are providing critical support in extremely challenging circumstances. This case is yet another example of the urgent need for robust enforcement of labor rights and better protections for migrant and inland waterway workers in Europe.
