New scheme allows more family visits for Georgian soldiers

Military servants who dedicate their lives to serving in the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) will soon be able to choose where they serve to allow them to be near their homes and families.

The new initiative by the Ministry of Defence of Georgia aims to improve the working conditions of the armed personnel serving away from their families. The scheme came into force on Sunday, July 17.

The announcement was made today by Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli, who visited the III Infantry Brigade 31st Battalion serving in the seaside city Batumi.

The battalion-sized unit had 52 service members whose families lived far from the Black Sea city in Georgia’s west, where they carried out their duties.

The 31st Battalion had 52 service members whose place of residence was far from the unit’s base in Batumi. Photo from the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

Such circumstances meant these people had to pay more in travel costs when visiting their families compared to their colleagues who lived closer to Batumi. For some soldiers it was impractical or difficult to visit their home for months on end, Khidasheli said.

Minister Khidasheli said there should be no "artificially created sacrifices" for people who chose to serve in the GAF while explaining the reasons behind the initiative.

The Minister told reporters all of these 52 soldiers had the opportunity to transfer to new locations for military service, and similar options would be offered to troops serving in other units and areas.

Khidasheli first promised the soldiers of the 31st Battalion she would take their concerns into consideration when she visited the unit earlier this year.

The salary received by all service members is equal although the share of transportation expenses in their wage was unbalanced, as those living further from their location of service had to spend a much higher amount," said Khidasheli.

Another common problem facing soldiers was the fact many had to care for their ill or aging parents, while others had large families with many children, making the travel issue more acute.

Georgia's top defence official said the option to change a person’s area of service would be granted to soldiers who completed their initial professional contract with the GAF.