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The boss of a St. Gallen solar company uses the income for his luxurious lifestyle while his employees wait for their wages. The case has long been a concern of the judiciary.
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- He didn’t pay his wages, withheld social security contributions and used them to live a life of luxury.
- Former employees of a St. Gallen solar company are making these allegations against the owner.
- Some cases have already been heard before the arbitration board.
The managing director of the photovoltaic company Viva Solar in Rebstein SG is said to have not paid his employees’ wages and instead led a life of luxury. The employees, mainly fitters, are struggling with financial difficulties, while their boss affords expensive watches, cars and trips, reports “Blick”.
“I don’t know how I’m going to pay for my apartment, my health insurance, my food,” an employee is quoted as saying. Since Viva Solar was founded in June 2023, the owner has put numerous employees in financial distress. Robert Godlewski, for example, who started working as a fitter in September 2024, had to report to the social welfare office after five weeks without pay.
Gabriel L., one of the first employees, also reports working a lot of overtime: “My boss threatened to fire me if I couldn’t finish a construction site,” he tells “Blick”. He was dismissed without notice after an accident. The boss then made wage deductions, even though Gabriel L. had already paid for the costs incurred in the accident.
1.3 million francs in debt
The former operations assistant Sofija V. also reports chaotic conditions, a lack of accounting and a mountain of debt of over 1.3 million francs. The owner is also said to have withheld social security contributions.
Despite the financial misery, he shows himself with luxury goods. For example, he owned Rolex watches and a Lamborghini and sent photos from his weekend trips.
The former employees have now taken legal action. Some cases have already been heard before the arbitration board. In at least one case, the boss had to retroactively pay an ex-employee for overtime.
Some allegations against Ivan H. could also be criminally relevant: for example, withholding social security contributions or falsifying the extract from the debt collection register. The presumption of innocence applies.
The editor wrote this article using AI.
