Working conditions under scrutiny in Georgia

Working conditions in Georgia are going under the microscope in a bid to make the labour market safer and healthier.

The Government of Georgia approved a state monitoring program that would oversee current working conditions in Georgia, with the aim of ensuring a safe and healthy working environment in the country.

The programme, which is structured in accordance with the Labour Code, aimed to determine the needs of the safe labour institutional reform and prevent violations of security standards by employees.

The monitoring program will observe the working conditions of businesses, factories or organisations where employees have agreed to participate in the programme, along with their employees.

The duration of the monitoring period will depend on the size of the business involved, but should be about seven working days.

A working group comprised of representatives of ministries and social partners, international and local organisations will define the monitoring terms.

Development of legislative initiatives is one indicator of the performance of the programme.

The program is a precondition for the creation of a labour inspectorate, which was abolished in 2006. The reestablishment of a labour inspectorate is noted in the Association Agenda between Georgia and the European Union (EU).