The renowned truck and bus manufacturer MAN has stopped sourcing tires from the Zrenjanin-based Linglong factory due to alleged human rights violations during the construction of the plant. MAN, a subsidiary of the German automotive giant Volkswagen’s Traton group, ended its contract with Linglong after receiving reports of “human rights violations,” according to BIRN and German publication Manager Magazin.
“We take allegations of human rights violations very seriously, and due to these concerns, we stopped all orders from this supplier at the end of November,” MAN stated.
However, Volkswagen continues to source tires from Linglong and is still “reviewing the situation.”
As Vreme recently reported, other major German automotive companies have received multiple complaints about labor rights violations in Serbia and are considering halting cooperation. This issue extends beyond Linglong and includes factories producing automotive cables, such as Jura and Leoni.
Under Germany’s Supply Chain Act, German companies are required to ensure that their suppliers, no matter where they are located, respect human rights.
What is the issue with Linglong?
Vreme gained access to complaints from the Belgrade-based NGO ASTRA, which, as early as 2022 and again this year, reported forced labor conditions at the Linglong factory in Zrenjanin to Volkswagen. Allegedly, foreign workers had their passports confiscated, and the Chinese investor treated the region as if it were their own property.
In a brief response to Vreme, Volkswagen stated that it does not comment on “individual potential” allegations involving its suppliers. However, the company emphasized that it takes all signs of misconduct seriously and responds swiftly, but without specifying the actions taken. Linglong, a major tire manufacturer, declined Vreme’s request for comment. The company also denied a photographer’s request to enter and take pictures of the plant, citing company policy and “current circumstances.”
Mercedes investigating Jura’s Practices
Vreme also reviewed correspondence between the Independent Union of Serbian Metalworkers and Mercedes and Audi, spanning from June to September this year. The union claims that the Jura factory in Leskovac systematically violated workers’ rights to unionize, that workers were overworked and underpaid, and were exposed to dangerous chemicals. The factory allegedly broke strike laws by hiring replacement workers during strikes.
Both Mercedes and Audi confirmed the correspondence. Audi stated that they are “checking the circumstances” at Jura, while Mercedes confirmed that they take the issue seriously and “forced the supplier to provide an explanation.”
“Additionally, we have engaged an independent auditing firm to conduct an internationally recognized sustainability assessment. The process is still ongoing,” Mercedes said in an October response.
BMW made similar statements following worker complaints about conditions at Leoni in Prokuplje, stating that after Vreme’s inquiry, they took the allegations seriously and requested an explanation from Leoni.
No Penalties Yet
Currently, MAN is the only subsidiary of Volkswagen to have halted collaboration with a Serbian factory due to these issues.
Vreme reached out to Germany’s Federal Office for Economics and Export Control (BAFA), responsible for enforcing the law. BAFA reported receiving 221 complaints globally over nearly two years of applying the law, with three complaints relating to Serbia. Most of these complaints were dismissed, with 60 still active. However, BAFA has yet to issue any penalties.
It should be noted that these figures do not include direct complaints about companies, for which there is no unified statistical data.
The Supply Chain Act will become even more significant in the coming years, as a similar law has been adopted by the EU, and countries are required to implement it by July 2026. This means that all larger companies based in the EU will need to ensure that their suppliers – such as those in Serbia – uphold workers’ rights.
