A joint operation by police and the State Inspectorate uncovered inhumane housing conditions for foreign workers in a construction container, and the minister announced intensified inspections and sanctions for employers.
Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović strongly condemned the conditions in which eight foreign workers were housed in the Čazma area, calling the discovered scenes "simply unacceptable". A joint inspection by police and the State Inspectorate, conducted last week, found that the workers were housed in a construction container of only 14 square meters, without air conditioning and with insufficient sanitary facilities.
The operation followed reports of a large number of foreign workers employed by one company. A total of 62 workers from India and Nepal were checked. Irena Delija, a police officer for illegal migrations and risk analysis at the Bjelovar-Bilogora Police Department, explained the results of the inspection.
"We checked 62 foreign workers from India and Nepal; on that occasion, no irregularities were found regarding their stay and work, but regarding adequate housing, irregularities were found that will be sanctioned by the State Inspectorate," Delija stated.
The ordinance on the accommodation of workers from third countries precisely prescribes standards. The accommodation must have separate sanitary facilities, supply of running water, electricity, heating, ventilation, and appropriate furniture. A key provision is also the minimum area of 14 square meters per person, which in this case was nowhere near met.
Minister Božinović vividly described the situation found: "Eight of them in 14 square meters, in a container that is not for living but for construction, insufficient sanitary facilities-something that is simply unacceptable."
Fines are prescribed for the identified violations. According to Irena Delija, "the fine for a legal entity ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 euros, and for a responsible person from 500 to 1,000." Božinović announced that inspections will be intensified and told employers that all those who violate the law will be sanctioned.
"We are conducting these inspections and we will continue to do so. All those who violate the law, which was set in agreement with union representatives and employer association representatives, will have to abide by it; if not, as in this case in Čazma, they will be sanctioned and charges will be filed," Božinović said.
The case from Čazma sheds light on the broader context of employing foreigners in Croatia. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, there are currently about 130,000 active permits for the stay and work of foreign nationals. The company whose workers were the subject of the inspection said they are waiting for the official report from the State Inspectorate and will submit documentation within the prescribed deadline, which they believe will show that no irregularities occurred.
