The aftermath of the acquisition of Benzinol slovakias gas stations by OMV has been fraught with complications, as former employees continue to struggle to receive their due compensation.The situation remains unresolved, with former staff members still awaiting their April wages from the previous year, as well as severance pay.

Following OMV’s purchase of 26 petrol stations from Benzinol Slovakia a year prior, marking the end of the network after 55 years, former employees signed agreements to terminate their employment. These agreements stipulated that Benzinol would provide severance pay based on their years of service.

Bankruptcy Filing Stalled, Impeding Employee Benefits

Despite the non-payment, a collective appeal was filed to address the outstanding wages and severance. Subsequently, the former employees sought assistance from the Social Insurance Agency to obtain guarantee insurance benefits. However, these benefits remain inaccessible because Benzinol has not filed for bankruptcy, a prerequisite for eligibility.

last June, the Social Insurance Agency contacted Martin Čepel, the Managing Director of Benzinol, who at the time did not consider Benzinol insolvent. The Social Insurance Agency stated, “He considered the situation to be temporary and non -proclaimed, stating that he was making every effort to make the obligations to employees properly fulfilled.” This stance was maintained during appeal proceedings in November 2024.

“He considered the situation to be temporary…stating that he was making every effort to make the obligations to employees properly fulfilled.”

Criminal Complaint Dismissed

A criminal complaint was filed by former employees,but authorities persistent that Benzinol had not committed any crime. The manager’s stance shifted during the criminal proceedings, with claims that Benzinol lacked the funds to pay former employees’ wages.

Meaningful Debt Burden

Benzinol faces substantial debts, yet the manager appears to be resisting insolvency. Between 2022 and 2024, the company accumulated losses of almost EUR 6.5 million.

Public records indicate that the company owes EUR 1.1 million in taxes and EUR 540,000 in levies to the Social Insurance Agency. Additionally, debts of nearly EUR 154,000 are owed to two health insurance companies.

Company records show liabilities of EUR 373,000 to former employees.

The end of the well-known network after 55 years is marked by uncertainty for former employees and a notable lack of communication. The petrol stations network’s website has been inactive as last year, and social media activity has ceased. The timeline for when employees will receive their owed payments remains unclear.