Georgian Manganese says strike of miners is “unlawful”

The Georgian Manganese Holding (GMH), which owns Zestafoni Ferroalloy Plant in Zestafoni and Chiaturmanganumi in the town of Chiatura, commented on the strike of Chiatura miners and called it “unlawful.”

The company released a statement, saying that the demand of the miners of 50% increase in salaries is inadequate and goes beyond the legal framework. However, the company says their management has offered the employees to increase their salaries by 25%.

“The employees categorically refused the proposal and continued the unlawful strike... It should be noted that last year, a collective agreement was signed between the Georgian Manganese and Trade Unions, based on which the salaries were increased by 10%,” the statement says. Adding that, in exchange for the agreement, the employees took the obligation to not go on strike the following three years, but they still did.

The company called on the employees to return to workplaces, to not “yield to the provocations of the destructive group and not harm the interests of their own families and the enterprise.”

The miners went on strike on May 16. In parallel to the protests, around 15 miners went on a hunger strike and placed tents in the city center.

Leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Political Secretary Irakli Gharibashvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and the Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze, arrived in Chiatura on May 17 to meet with the miners.

Speaking to the journalists, Gharibashvili explained that the company had promised to fulfill all demands of the protesters.

“We promise that we will mediate with the management company in order to solve all problems in time,” Gharibashvili told the miners.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights, has also commented on the strike of Chiatura miners.

“Human Rights Watch conducted research on the working conditions in extractive industries in Georgia, and heard how miners, like those on strike, work shifts of 15 consecutive days, working 12 hours a day underground, including at night. During this time, they are required to live in a company dormitory, where, some told us, food is insufficient for the effort required on the job, and restrictions on their movement keep them away from their homes and families nearby,” the organization says.

The HRW stressed that poor working conditions are endemic in Georgia, where labor laws and enforcement remain substandard even after recent government reforms.

“The manganese company should listen carefully to workers’ complaints and take steps to ensure safe and fair working conditions. Georgia should bring its labor code in line with International Labor Organization standards and put in place a full labor inspectorate with powers and resources to monitor and enforce all labor rights,” the NGO noted.