Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the opposition party Gakharia for Georgia, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to introducing a legally defined minimum wage, despite resistance from the ruling Georgian Dream.
In a statement, Gakharia said that ensuring fair wages, protecting workers’ rights, and advancing social justice remain central to the party’s agenda.
“A fair and decent wage, the protection of workers’ rights, and the advancement of social justice are at the heart of our agenda. We use the parliamentary platform to fight for these goals,” Gakharia stated.
He noted that the party had initiated legislative amendments to establish a minimum wage of 1,050 GEL, applicable to both the public and private sectors. According to him, Georgia has not had a defined minimum wage since 1999, making the proposed reform “of historic importance.”
Gakharia criticized Georgian Dream for blocking the initiative, but stressed that the opposition would continue its efforts through all available mechanisms.
“Nevertheless, we will continue our struggle for fairness and for dignified living conditions for all, using both parliamentary mechanisms and every platform available to us,” he said.
The latest remarks come amid an ongoing dispute between the opposition and the ruling party over labor and social policy. As previously reported, Gakharia for Georgia had proposed the creation of a temporary parliamentary commission to examine the issue of a minimum wage after its legislative initiative was rejected.
Party member Giorgi Sharashidze accused the government of deepening social inequality by refusing to support the proposal, arguing that the absence of a minimum wage framework leaves many citizens vulnerable to low pay and economic hardship.
The ruling party, however, has defended its position, stating that the draft law required further study and analysis.
In response, the opposition has called for broader parliamentary engagement on the issue, including consideration of inflation, living costs, and overall economic conditions.
The debate over minimum wage reform has increasingly become a focal point in Georgia’s political landscape, reflecting wider concerns over income inequality and social protection.
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