Sawt Falasteen - 'Pure extortion': foreign workers face violence and exploitation in Croatia

Twice last year the 27-year-old from Chandigarh was abused by groups of young people while working. Some spat at him, others shouted at him to "go back to your own country" as they tried to steal his delivery bag.

For the young foreign worker, one of the tens of thousands drawn to the EU nation every year, it was a rough welcome -- but one he said is increasingly common among his colleagues.

As Croatia struggles with growing staff shortages, particularly in its key tourism sector, experts warn its badly needed foreign workers are left vulnerable to violence and exploitation.

"I just came to work and live peacefully," DD, who asked to be referred to only by his initials, told AFP.

"We are not stealing jobs."

Croatia has one of the five fastest-declining populations in the European Union, losing nearly 400,000 people over the past decade, according to the World Bank.

The shortages have driven a steady rise in the number of workers arriving from Asia -- particularly since Croatia joined Europe's passport-free Schengen zone in 2023.

Last year, four out of 10 work and residency permits were issued to Nepalis, Filipinos, Indians and Bangladeshis, mostly in the tourism, catering and construction industries.

It is a dramatic change for a largely conservative society with extremely limited experience of immigration from outside Europe.

According to the last census, more than 90 percent of Croatia's 3.8 million people are ethnic Croats, while about 80 percent are Roman Catholic.

- Broken jaws, cracked ribs -

In WhatsApp groups used by DD's fellow delivery riders, many share stories of almost weekly attacks, with the worst reporting broken jaws and cracked ribs.

While national crime data does not break down rates by victims' nationality, the number of crimes against Nepali nationals rose sharply in 2024, outpacing the roughly 50-percent growth of its diaspora in Croatia.

Comparable increases were recorded among Indian, Filipino and Bangladeshi nationals.

But food delivery company Wolt said many attacks on its delivery riders, which are committed mainly by opportunistic young people, went unreported.

Most foreign workers arrive through private agencies or employers that usually offer little support, according to unions.

Some employers also offer overcrowded and unsafe housing at hefty rates.

Delivery rider Hasan, who did not give his surname for fear of losing his job, said he had been charged 270 euros ($319) a month for an "unliveable" room shared with five other men.

Breaches of arbitrary rules, such as a visitor ban, could attract hefty "fines" from his previous employer, who leased him the room.

"It's pure extortion," said the 27-year-old from India.

He was also expected to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

"You are like their slaves."

- Hardening attitudes -

As migrant numbers grow, public attitudes appear to be hardening.

An Institute for Migration Research (IMR) survey found that more than 60 percent of Croatians were dissatisfied with the presence of foreign workers, up from 46 percent a year earlier.

Fears over a potential rise in crime rates, impacts on local wages, job losses and cultural differences were among the top complaints of those surveyed.

"When people feel their livelihoods are threatened, support for radical positions is more likely," sociologist Ivan Balabanic said.

Some right-wing politicians have seized on the issue to push anti-immigrant rhetoric and portray foreign workers as part of a plot to "replace" European populations.

The conservative government, which has condemned the violence against foreign workers, recently moved to improve protections but also to require language tests for long-term workers.

DD said most Croatians were "generally friendly", but without the ability to speak the local language, he had struggled to fit in.

Balabanic said politicians needed to stop treating the issue as "taboo" and discuss the need for foreign workers candidly.

"This is our reality and must be acknowledged as such."

H.Jarrar--SF-PST