Employees of Georgian Manganese LLC in Chiatura have gone on hunger strike, demanding equitable wages and enhanced working conditions. Miners, along with their families, continue to protest on the streets. The strike has caused a complete halt in operations across all mines, affecting over 3000 employees.
The reason for this, according to the miners, was the failure of the company to meet their demands. Nine miners went on a hunger strike.
The employees of the “Georgian Manganese” mines in Chiatura have been protesting for the ninth day, demanding improvement in working conditions. On June 11, they met with the company’s representatives, however, as the acting president of the metallurgical, mining and chemical industry workers union reported, no agreement was reached at the meeting. The acting president of the trade union claimed that the company had not offered new conditions for the employees.
In turn, Georgian Manganese says that “constructive dialogue” with the employees regarding the issue continues.
The reason for the miners’ protest is a change in the work schedule introduced by Georgian Manganese in February. The protestors are also demanding decent compensation. Trade unions say that the employees demand to be paid according to the tons of extracted raw materials.
In addition, the workers in the Chiatura mine demand: Protection of labor safety, change of equipment, ventilation of the trenches, change of insurance company, cancellation of pension savings, use of vacations, and settlement of the ecological issues facing the city of Chiatura.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image source: Mautskebeli
Related Story: Miners on Strike in Chiatura demand better working conditions
