Tbilisi City Hall announces pay rise for kindergarten staff

Thousands of kindergarten staff in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi will soon enjoy higher salaries.

Today Deputy Mayor Irakli Lekvinadze announced the salaries of kindergarten teachers and staff will increase by five to 20 percent. The salary increase will come into effect later this year.

There are 6,585 people employed in kindergartens in Tbilisi who will reap the benefits of this scheme.

Tbilisi City Hall allocated 3,643,000 GEL (about $1.46 million USD) in this direction, announced Lekvinadze today.

Incrasing the salaries of kindergarten employees was one of the pre-election promises. Today we are fulfilling this promise,” Lekvinadze said.

The Deputy Mayor explained the salaries of kindergarten employees was "relatively low” compared to other institutions and "this is why we decided to increase salaries for kindergarten staff,” Lekvinadze said.

People in specific roles with higher responsibilities will earn more. Specifically, an education programme coordinator will enjoy a five percent salary increase, nurses will have a 10 percent increase, psychologists will earn 15 percent higher, while cooks, cleaners and laundry staff will earn 20 percent more.

As a result of the salary increases, the average income of kindergarten employees in Tbilisi will be 300 GEL (about $120 USD) per month.