Miners’ strike ends as they come to an agreement with the company

On May 27, the strike of the miners in Chiatura came to an end. The workers of Chiatura manganese mines went on strike on May 15, demanding increase of the salaries by 30% and eventually by additional 20%; better health insurances for the workers and their families; better nutrition for the miners and the ban on movement of cargo transport in the city.

Initially, the company, Georgian Manganese offered the workers a 15% increase, stating that their demand of 50% increase was “absurd”. The strikers didn’t agree to the offer and continued protests, some of them going on a hunger strike and even sewing their mouths shut in protest.

On May 27, the whole town of Chiatura became paralyzed as the students, teachers, shopkeepers and other groups joined the protests in solidarity with the miners.

Finally, the agreement was reached between the workers and the company on May 27. The meeting lasted for hours and included the protesters, the management of the Georgian Manganese Company and the Ministers of Economy, Education and Health, who arrived in Chiatura to mediate between the two parties.

After the meeting, a joint statement of the workers and the company was issued. The company agreed to carry out structural reforms that were agreed during the meeting and settled to gradually increase the salaries of workers by 35%. The first round of increase will consist of 25% by July 1, 2019 and the rest of 10% will be achieved by July 1, 2020.

The Georgian Manganese also took the responsibility to improve the work safety and health protection of its workers by developing effective preventive mechanisms. As for the nutrition of the workers, the company agreed to make allowances for them to choose the diet they please. The company also agreed to modernize the production infrastructure for better safety.

According to the agreement, the company will pay the workers for the days that they missed due to the strike and will provide support for those who got health complications as a result of the hunger strike.

Even though the 35% is still 15% short of the workers’ initial demand, it is still a great achievement, considering that the public saw that with the strong, unwavering will of the workers and the support of the town, it was possible for their voices to be heard.